COURT DENIES BAIL TO ONLINE PUBLISHER ACCUSED OF CYBERSTALKING SOLUDO, ADJOURNS TILL JULY 27

An Awka Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to an online publisher, Ejike Ofoegbu, who is facing allegations of cyberstalking Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo.

Ofoegbu, believed to be the owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, was arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, on charges bordering on the publication of alleged fabricated and defamatory content intended to bring the governor and his family into disrepute.

He was arraigned following investigations by the Anambra State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS), Awka, into a petition accusing him of publishing false information capable of damaging reputations and inciting public disaffection.

The defendant was charged under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, including Section 24(1)(b) on cyberstalking and Section 38 on identity theft, as well as the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2024.

He also faces charges under Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act relating to criminal defamation.

According to the prosecution, Ofoegbu allegedly orchestrated a campaign of misinformation targeting Soludo and members of his family, particularly his son, Ozonna.

Prosecutors alleged that he authored and circulated false and malicious reports to attract online traffic and generate illicit financial gain.

The prosecution further alleged that the publications falsely claimed that Soludo had disowned his son, fabricated statements purportedly made by Ozonna against his father, and reported a fictitious “drinking competition” involving the governor and a federal minister.

During the proceedings, counsel for the prosecution, A.A. Nwanri, supported by the Governor’s Chief Security Officer, CSP O.K. Nkuma, and Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the State Criminal Investigation Department, urged the court to remand the defendant at the Awka Correctional Centre.

In his ruling, Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

He consequently ordered that the case file be transmitted to the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for further action.

The magistrate advised the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka if he wished to apply for bail.

Although Ofoegbu reportedly issued a public apology and formally retracted the disputed publications, the legal proceedings remain ongoing.

The case was adjourned till July 27, 2026, for a status report on compliance and further proceedings.