…Police say defendant was arrested in Imo State
By Vincent Ujumadu
AWKA — A blogger and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Ejike Ofoegbu, has been remanded in a correctional centre in Anambra State after he was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Awka over alleged cyberstalking, defamation and publication of false information against Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his family.
Ofoegbu was arraigned following a petition alleging the publication of false claims capable of causing reputational damage and public disaffection.
Chief Security Officer to Governor Soludo, O.K. Nkuma, who testified before the court, said the suspect’s telephone was tracked to Imo State, where he was arrested and brought to Anambra.
The prosecution relied on provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, including sections relating to cyberstalking and identity theft, as well as relevant sections of the Criminal Code Act on defamatory matters and the 2024 amendment to the Cybercrime Act.
Nkuma told the court that Governor Soludo drew his attention to publications by Igbo Times Magazine and INews, which he described as offensive and unverifiable.
“I visited his Facebook page and INews platforms which contained the publications with total disregard to the governor, his wife and family.
“Following the review of the publications and some of the information credited to Ozonna, the governor’s son, the publication was annexed to the police.
“We had to go the extra mile by tracking his telephone and eventually found him in Imo State where he was arrested,” he said.
The Investigation Police Officer, Tochukwu Echemazu of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said the police received a complaint on July 9, 2026, alleging cyberstalking, false publication and defamation of character by Ofoegbu.
Echemazu said the suspect confessed to making the publications after his arrest.
“The telephone number provided to us was tracked and when we arrested him, he confessed,” he told the court.
Prosecution counsel, A.A. Nwanna, applied for the remand of the defendant to enable the prosecution complete necessary legal processes.
However, defence counsel, I.C. Machie, urged the court to consider the provisions of Section 131 of the Cybercrime Act, which allows judicial discretion in such matters.
Ruling on the application, Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere declined to grant bail, stating that the court lacked jurisdiction to handle the matter.
The magistrate ordered the compilation and transmission of the case file to the Anambra State Attorney-General and records of proceedings to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further action.
“From the matter presented, I have no jurisdiction to handle the matter,” he said.
He advised the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka for bail.
The Anambra State Police Command said the arraignment followed the receipt of the suspect from the Department of State Services (DSS), Awka, and the completion of investigations into allegations of false publications.
The command said Ofoegbu had been remanded in a correctional centre and would refrain from further comments on the matter to avoid prejudicing the ongoing court proceedings.
It also urged media practitioners and members of the public to verify information before publication and adhere to responsible journalism standards and existing laws governing information dissemination.
Ofoegbu was alleged to have published claims involving Governor Soludo and his family, including allegations concerning the governor’s relationship with his son, statements purportedly made by the son, and a supposed drinking competition involving the governor and a minister.
The matter was adjourned until July 27, 2026, for further hearing.
