By Sunny A. David, Awka
An Awka Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the remand of online publisher and blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, over alleged defamatory publications involving Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and members of his family.
Chief Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere directed that Ofoegbu, publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending further legal proceedings.
The court also ordered that the original police case file and records of the proceedings be forwarded to the Anambra State Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
Although the defendant applied for bail, the Chief Magistrate said the court lacked the jurisdiction to grant it and advised him to approach the High Court in Awka for the application.
The remand order followed an ex parte application filed by counsel to the complainant, A.A. Nwanri, alongside the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, O.K. Nkuma, and the prosecutor, Inspector Tochukwu Echemagu of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.
Ofoegbu is facing a three-count charge bordering on alleged identity theft, defamation and cyberstalking.
According to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly created and circulated fabricated and defamatory reports about Governor Soludo and his family with the intention of attracting online traffic and generating financial benefits.
The prosecution alleged that the reports falsely claimed the governor had disowned his son, Ozonna, and attributed statements to the son describing his father as “a drunkard who beat my mum.” Another public
ation allegedly claimed that the governor participated in a drinking competition with a minister.
The prosecution further informed the court that although Ofoegbu had previously issued a public apology and retracted the publications, he is still being prosecuted for alleged criminal defamation, cyberstalking and identity theft.
The alleged offences are said to contravene Sections 24(1)(b) and 38 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act.
The matter was adjourned until July 27 for a report of compliance.
