Publisher arraigned over alleged false reports claiming Gov Soludo disowned son

The Anambra State Police Command has arraigned Ejike Ofoegbu, the alleged owner and publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and iNews, before a competent court over allegations of publishing false and defamatory reports targeting Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his family.

The suspect was arraigned on Monday, July 13, after the police concluded investigations into a petition accusing him of disseminating fabricated information capable of damaging the governor’s reputation and inciting public disaffection.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspect was handed over to the police by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Awka after preliminary investigations before the matter was transferred to the police for further action.

The police said the case centred on a series of viral social media posts allegedly published by Ofoegbu, which falsely claimed that Governor Soludo had publicly disowned his son, Ozonna (Ozo) Soludo, while also attributing several fabricated statements to both father and son.

Among the posts cited by investigators was one that falsely quoted Governor Soludo as saying, “I will arrest anyone who calls Ozo my son. He is not my son. I disowned him years ago, and he is no longer a member of the Soludo family.”

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Another publication falsely alleged that Ozonna described his father as “a drunkard” who abused his mother during his childhood, while a separate post claimed the governor jokingly said his son was “ordered from Temu” and was “Chinese-made” rather than his biological child.

Investigators also referenced another publication that falsely attributed a statement to Ozonna claiming his father could defeat the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a drinking competition because of his alleged drinking capacity.

The Anambra State Police Command described the publications as fabricated, malicious and capable of misleading members of the public while causing reputational damage to the governor and his family.

During police investigations, the suspect reportedly admitted responsibility for the publications, retracted the statements and issued a public apology to Governor Soludo.

Despite the apology, the police said the alleged offences had already been committed, making prosecution necessary in line with existing laws governing false publications, cyber-related offences and defamation.

SP Ikenga disclosed that the court subsequently ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre pending the next hearing in the case.

The police reiterated their commitment to combating fake news, cybercrime and other offences involving the deliberate spread of false information capable of undermining public peace, damaging reputations or inciting unrest.

The command also advised journalists, bloggers, digital publishers and social media users to verify information before publication, stressing that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law.

The case highlights growing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb online misinformation and hold individuals accountable for the publication of false and defamatory content on digital platforms.

Publisher arraigned over alleged false reports claiming Gov Soludo disowned son

Dalung visits family of lynched Kaduna Islamic teacher, demands justice beyond sympathy

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has called for swift justice over the killing of Malama Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, the Islamic teacher who was lynched by a mob in Mararaban Jos, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, insisting that justice for the deceased must extend beyond condolences and government promises.

Dalung made the call after paying a condolence visit to the bereaved family, where he met with the deceased’s husband, Mallam Aliyu Muhammed, and their four children.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Monday, the former minister described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that has left a family devastated and raised serious concerns about the growing menace of mob justice in Nigeria.

“I paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Malama Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, the innocent Islamic teacher whose life was brutally cut short by a mob in Mararaban Jos, Kaduna State,” Dalung said.

He added that he spent time listening to the deceased’s husband recount the painful events surrounding the incident and also interacted with their children, who are now left to cope with the loss of their mother.

Malama Ummulkhairi was reportedly attacked and killed on June 21, 2026, after she was falsely accused of attempting to kidnap children while asking for directions to an Islamic lesson in Mararaban Jos.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that despite repeatedly explaining her mission and pleading for mercy, an angry mob allegedly beat her, stoned her and eventually set her ablaze before security operatives could intervene.

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The killing sparked nationwide outrage, with religious organisations, human rights advocates and civil society groups condemning the attack as a grave violation of the rule of law and calling for justice for the deceased.

Among those that condemned the incident was Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), which described the killing as one of the darkest examples of lawlessness and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.

Following investigations by security agencies, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani disclosed that 71 suspects have been arraigned in connection with the killing.

According to the governor, 41 suspects are facing charges of culpable homicide, while another 30 suspects have been charged with unlawful assembly over their alleged involvement in the mob attack.

Governor Sani also announced that the Kaduna State Government would provide welfare support for the deceased’s husband and sponsor the education of her four children, describing the killing as barbaric and unacceptable.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that everyone found culpable is brought to justice.

While acknowledging the Kaduna State Government’s support for the bereaved family, Dalung maintained that sympathy alone cannot substitute for justice.

“While I acknowledge the steps already taken by the Kaduna State Government, including its commitment to support the welfare and education of the children, justice cannot stop at sympathy alone.

“The prosecution of those responsible must be pursued diligently until its logical conclusion. Anything less would diminish the value of human life and embolden those who believe they can act with impunity,” he said.

He urged prosecutors and the judiciary to ensure that the criminal trial proceeds without unnecessary delays, stressing that accountability would serve as a deterrent against future acts of mob violence.

The former minister also appealed to the Kaduna State Government to explore all lawful avenues available to provide justice and relief to the deceased’s family, including the consideration of diyya (blood compensation) where applicable under Nigerian law and recognised Islamic principles.

According to him, while financial compensation cannot replace a wife or mother, it could provide some support for the family left behind.

“No amount of compensation can replace a wife or restore a mother to her children, but acknowledging this responsibility would provide some measure of justice and relief to a family whose loss can never truly be quantified,” he said.

Dalung warned that the increasing cases of mob justice across Nigeria pose a serious threat to human rights, public safety and confidence in the country’s justice system.

He stressed that every Nigerian, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status, is entitled to a fair hearing under the Constitution.

“The moment we permit the mob to become judge, jury and executioner, we place every innocent citizen at risk,” he stated.

He called on governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups to intensify public enlightenment campaigns against jungle justice while strengthening public confidence in lawful dispute resolution mechanisms.

Dalung prayed for Allah to forgive the late Malama Ummulkhairi, grant her Aljannatul Firdaus, and comfort her husband, children and other family members.

He concluded by reiterating that “justice delayed must not become justice denied.”

Dalung visits family of lynched Kaduna Islamic teacher, demands justice beyond sympathy

Dangote offers N500,000 reward for reporting illegal haulage involving company trucks

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has launched a nationwide whistleblower programme offering a N500,000 cash reward to individuals who provide credible information leading to the arrest of persons involved in illegal haulage or the interception of unauthorised goods transported using Dangote-branded trucks.

The initiative is part of the company’s renewed efforts to protect the integrity of its nationwide logistics network, prevent the misuse of its branded vehicles and strengthen compliance across its supply chain.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Dangote Industries urged members of the public, transport unions, customers, host communities and security agencies to support the campaign by reporting any suspicious use of the company’s trucks.

The company explained that the whistleblower programme is designed to eliminate the activities of individuals who illegally use Dangote trucks to transport unauthorised goods or engage in commercial haulage outside the approved operations of the company’s subsidiaries.

According to the company, such activities not only violate corporate policies but also expose road users to safety risks, undermine regulatory compliance, damage the company’s reputation and compromise the integrity of its logistics operations.

To eliminate any ambiguity, Dangote Industries outlined the categories of products that each subsidiary is authorised to transport.

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It stated that Dangote Cement trucks are permitted to haul only cement, limestone, clinker, coal and high-grade gypsum. Trucks belonging to Dangote Sugar Refinery are authorised to transport only sugar products, while vehicles operated by NASCON Allied Industries are restricted to conveying Dangote Salt and DanQ Seasoning products.

Similarly, trucks belonging to Dangote Packaging are designated exclusively for bags and packaging materials. Vehicles operated by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals are authorised to transport polypropylene products, while trucks belonging to Dangote Fertiliser Limited are permitted to haul only urea fertiliser.

The company warned that any Dangote-branded truck found transporting unauthorised goods would be treated as engaging in illegal haulage, regardless of the owner of the cargo.

It added that both the driver and the owner of the unauthorised goods risk arrest, confiscation of the cargo and prosecution in accordance with applicable laws.

As part of the whistleblower initiative, the company said anyone whose information leads to the arrest of offenders or the recovery of unauthorised goods being transported on Dangote trucks will receive a cash reward of N500,000.

To support investigations, the company urged whistleblowers to provide detailed information, including the truck type, registration plate number, cab number, current location, colour of the vehicle, description of the goods being transported and, where possible, photographs of both the truck and its cargo.

Dangote Industries disclosed that dedicated reporting hotlines have been established across its operations, particularly for trucks operating from the Obajana, Okpella and Gboko plants, to enable prompt reporting and swift action by security agencies.

The company further revealed that the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant law enforcement agencies have been authorised to arrest any driver found using company trucks for unauthorised commercial haulage or transporting prohibited goods.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance against logistics-related fraud, Dangote Industries said the initiative forms part of broader measures to improve transparency, accountability and operational efficiency across its nationwide distribution network.

The company stressed that public participation remains critical to the success of the campaign, assuring whistleblowers that credible information will be treated confidentially while appropriate rewards will be paid to eligible informants.

It added that the campaign aligns with its commitment to safeguarding company assets, protecting customers, promoting road safety and ensuring that only authorised products are transported using Dangote-branded trucks across Nigeria.

Dangote offers N500,000 reward for reporting illegal haulage involving company trucks