Man who lied Soludo had disowned son, Ozonna over viral video apologizes for misinformation

By Ifeizu Joe 

A blogger who claims to be the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Mr Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, has apologized for publishing some news items where he disparaged the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his son Ozonna.

The blogger had published four news article after a video of Ozonna trended, where he danced to music that called out some Nigeria politicians, including his father, publicly shaming them.

Ofoegbu had claimed in one of the news items that Governor Soludo had said that he had disowned his son years ago and was no longer responsible for his actions.

In yet another, he quoted Ozonna as granting an interview and stating that he first disowned his father, while listing a number of reasons why he did.

But in a retraction and apology video he posted on his page, Ofoegbu pleaded for forgiveness, stating that the news items were false as none of the parties listed granted any press interview.

He said he only fabricated the news items, hoping to cause them to trend, thereby making his blogs popular and also making money from it.

He said: “I wish to offer my deepest and most sincere apology to Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, his family, and the general public.

“I publicly admit that the stories I published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue. They did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative. They were not based on any verified facts or credible source, and they should never have been presented as news.”

He further stated that: “I also apologize to the people of Anambra State, readers of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, and everyone who may have seen or shared these false publications. I am committed to correcting this mistake and ensuring that such an incident does not happen again.”

The headline of some of the news items read: Breaking News: 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. “Just In: I Don’t Take Advice From My Father. He Was a Drunkard Who Beat My Mom When I Was Young. His Treatment of My Mother Made Me Decide Never to Take Advice From Him — ‘Soludo’s Son’ Speaks Out.”

Two others read: Breaking News: I ordered Ozo from Temu. He is Chinese-made, not my son. Even at the hospital when he was born, I asked the doctor, ‘I hope you didn’t accidentally exchange my real son.’ Ozo is from Temu,’ Soludo jokingly told reporters, Breaking News: They should organize a drinking competition between my father and Wike. I just want to see something. I’m willing to bet my life that my father would win. People don’t understand his drinking capacity.’ — Ozo.”

It is not clear yet if he had been arrested by security operatives as the apology message was followed by an apology video in which Ofoegbu look thoroughly frightened, while apologizing for his deeds.