The publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and iNews, Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu, has been remanded in a correctional facility after being arraigned by the Anambra State Police Command over alleged false and defamatory publications targeting the family of Anambra State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
The police said Ofoegbu was arraigned before a competent court on Monday following investigations into a petition accusing him of publishing fabricated and misleading reports allegedly intended to tarnish the reputation of the governor’s family and incite public disaffection.
According to the command, the case was transferred from the Department of State Services (DSS) in Awka to the police for further investigation and prosecution before the suspect was charged to court.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the court ordered the defendant’s remand in a correctional facility pending the continuation of legal proceedings.
Ikenga said the command would refrain from making further comments on the matter to avoid interfering with the ongoing judicial process.
The police also reminded journalists, publishers and other media practitioners of the importance of verifying information before publication, urging them to adhere to the principles of responsible journalism and comply with laws governing the dissemination of information.
