Go to High Court for Your Bail, We Lack Jurisdiction, Magistrate Tells Alleged Soludo Defamer

By Tony Okafor, Awka

An Awka Chief Magistrate’s Court in Anambra State on Monday remanded an online publisher and blogger, Ejike Ofoegbu, over alleged defamatory publications targeting Governor Chukwuma Soludo and members of his family.

The defendant, who owns Igbo Times Magazine and INews, was ordered to be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre by Chief Magistrate C.O. Ezekwere.

Ezekwere also directed that the original police case file and records of proceedings be transmitted to the Anambra State Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice.

The court, however, advised the defendant to approach the High Court in Awka for bail, noting that the Magistrate’s Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The remand order followed an ex parte application moved by counsel to the complainant, Mr A.A. Nwanri, alongside the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr O.K. Nkuma, and the prosecutor, Insp. Tochukwu Echemagu of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka.

The defendant is facing a three-count charge of identity theft, defamation and cyberstalking.

The prosecution told the court that Ofoegbu allegedly created and published fabricated and defamatory reports against the governor and his family to attract online traffic and generate financial gain.

It alleged that the publications falsely claimed that Soludo had disowned his son, Ozonna; that the son described his father as “a drunkard who beat my mum”; and that the governor had participated in a drinking competition with a minister.

The prosecution further told the court that although the defendant had earlier issued a public apology and retraction over the publications, he was still facing prosecution for alleged criminal defamation, cyberstalking and identity theft under the relevant laws.

It said the alleged offences contravened Sections 24(1)(b) and 38 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as well as Sections 373 and 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

The court adjourned the case until July 27 for a report of compliance.