By George Ozalla
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has rejected the public apology offered by blogger Ejike Ofoegbu over a series of false reports published about him and members of his family, insisting that the apology cannot erase the damage allegedly caused by the fabricated publications.
The state government said the apology came only after the blogger became aware that legal action had been initiated against him, maintaining that the matter goes beyond a simple expression of remorse.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, the government described Ofoegbu’s apology as inadequate, stressing that the false reports had already caused significant reputational damage to Governor Soludo, his family and the image of the Anambra State Government.
Aburime stated that the blogger’s actions were not the result of an honest mistake or misinformation but a deliberate effort to manufacture sensational stories for public attention, increased online traffic and financial gain.
According to the statement, Ofoegbu intentionally created and circulated false narratives, presenting them as factual reports without any credible source or verification.
The government specifically dismissed as false the reports claiming that Governor Soludo had disowned his son, Ozonna Soludo, that Ozonna publicly insulted his father, and that the governor participated in a drinking competition with a minister.
Aburime said the reports were entirely fabricated and should never have been presented as news, adding that the blogger could not claim to have been misled because he was the originator of the false narratives.
“The issue here is not one of mistaken reporting or reliance on inaccurate information from a source. The falsehoods were deliberately created and published by the blogger himself,” the statement said.
The government maintained that while individuals are free to express opinions, the deliberate publication of falsehoods capable of damaging the reputation of others amounts to a serious abuse of freedom of expression and should not be tolerated.
It warned that the alleged offences could attract criminal prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, which provides penalties including imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to ₦25 million upon conviction, depending on the nature of the offence.
Aburime also called on professional media and regulatory bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigeria Press Council and the Association of Nigeria Bloggers, to take appropriate action against Ofoegbu.
He urged the organisations to distance themselves from unethical practices and reinforce professional standards aimed at promoting responsible journalism and curbing the spread of fake news.
The Chief Press Secretary further cautioned bloggers, digital content creators and social media users against publishing or sharing unverified information, warning that those who deliberately spread falsehoods should expect to be held accountable under the law.
He also warned individuals continuing to circulate false stories concerning Governor Soludo and his son to desist, stressing that although misinformation may spread rapidly across digital platforms, those responsible would eventually face legal consequences for their actions.
The Anambra State Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of public institutions and ensuring that those who deliberately use digital platforms to disseminate false and defamatory information are brought to justice in accordance with the law.
