Publisher arraigned over alleged false reports claiming Gov Soludo disowned son

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