Court Remands Blogger Over Alleged Defamation Of Soludo, Family

According to Ireporter Online, Ofoegbu was arraigned before Chief Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere on a three-count charge bordering on alleged identity theft, defamation, and cyberstalking. The court ordered that he be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The remand order followed an ex parte application filed by the prosecution counsel, A.A. Nwanri, in suit number M/W/3136/2026, requesting that the defendant remain in custody while police investigations are concluded and the case file is forwarded to the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for legal advice.

The prosecution was supported by the Chief Security Officer to the Anambra State Governor, O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the D-4 Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka.

The prosecution alleged that Ofoegbu published several reports considered false and defamatory against Governor Soludo, his family, and his son, Ozonna. Among the publications cited were claims that the governor had disowned his son and allegations that Ozonna made damaging statements against his father.

The authorities also referenced another publication alleging that Governor Soludo took part in a drinking competition with a serving federal minister, describing the claims as malicious and intended to harm the reputation and public image of the governor and his family.

However, the allegations against Ofoegbu have not been proven in court, and the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecution argued that the alleged actions violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, including sections relating to cyberstalking, identity theft, and impersonation. It also cited sections of the Criminal Code Act concerning defamatory publications.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Ezekwere stated that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear and determine the substantive charges against the blogger. The magistrate consequently declined to entertain the bail application and advised the defendant to approach the High Court of Anambra State, Awka Judicial Division.

The court directed the prosecution to forward the original police case file and all relevant exhibits to the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for legal advice. It also ordered that the record of proceedings be transmitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Awka.

The magistrate further directed the governor’s Chief Security Officer and the investigating police officer to enter into recognisance of ₦50,000 each to appear as prosecution witnesses whenever required.

Meanwhile, the prosecution argued that the public apology and retraction reportedly issued by Ofoegbu before the commencement of the case did not automatically end the criminal proceedings.

The counsel maintained that an apology could not remove possible criminal liability where the state believed there was sufficient evidence to support the allegations.

The matter was adjourned until July 27, 2026, for a report on compliance with the court’s directives, while Ofoegbu remains in custody pending further hearing.