The Nigeria Press Council was urged to launch a formal inquiry, issue a public censure, and permanently blacklist the blogger. Anything less, the statement said, would be an abdication of duty.
Aburime urged Nigerian journalism institutions to examine their roles in enabling such misconduct. He called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to disown Ofoegbu, stating he is not a journalist but a fabricator with no place in any professional body that values integrity.
The Nigeria Press Council was urged to launch a formal inquiry, issue a public censure, and permanently blacklist the blogger. Anything less, the statement said, would be an abdication of duty.
Warning to Other Content Creators
Anambra Government Rejects Blogger’s Apology
The Anambra State Government has dismissed the apology offered by blogger Ejike Ofoegbu following his false publication about Governor Charles Soludo and his family.
Government’s Official Statement
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, the administration said that an apology alone cannot repair the extensive harm caused by the blogger’s claims.
Aburime described Ofoegbu’s actions as more than irresponsible journalism or a lapse in judgment; he labelled them a deliberate, calculated, and criminal assault on truth, motivated solely by the pursuit of online traffic, audience engagement, and financial gain.
Details of the Fabricated Claims
The government lamented that anyone reading Ofoegbu’s apology slowly would be stunned by the audacity of his inventions. Among the falsehoods were:
- A claim that the governor “disowned” his son Ozonna and said he was “ordered from Temu.”
- An allegation that the son called his father a “drunkard who beat my mom.”
- A fabricated “drinking competition” between the governor and a minister.
- Election predictions pulled from thin air.
These were labelled “satanic works of fiction presented as journalism,” with the government asserting that Ofoegbu did not merely fail to verify sources — he was the source, conjuring narratives like a novelist while tarnishing the reputations of real people for clicks and monetisation.
Legal Consequences
The statement warned that Ofoegbu would face prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, which provides for up to ten years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to ₦25 million.
Call to Journalism Bodies
Aburime urged Nigerian journalism institutions to examine their roles in enabling such misconduct. He called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to disown Ofoegbu, stating he is not a journalist but a fabricator with no place in any professional body that values integrity.
The Nigeria Press Council was urged to launch a formal inquiry, issue a public censure, and permanently blacklist the blogger. Anything less, the statement said, would be an abdication of duty.
Warning to Other Content Creators
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