A blogger who claims to be the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, Mr. Ejike Ofoegbu Experience, has apologised for publishing a series of news items in which he disparaged the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and his son, Ozonna.
The blogger had published four news articles after a video of Ozonna went viral, showing him dancing to a song that called out some Nigerian politicians, including his father.
Ofoegbu claimed in one of the reports that Governor Soludo had said he disowned his son years ago and was no longer responsible for his actions.
In another report, he claimed that Ozonna granted an interview in which he said he had first disowned his father, listing several reasons for doing so.
However, in a retraction and apology video posted on his page, Ofoegbu pleaded for forgiveness, admitting that the stories were false, as none of the individuals mentioned granted any interview.
He confessed that he fabricated the stories in the hope that they would go viral, thereby increasing the popularity of his blogs and generating revenue.
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: “I also apologise 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.”
Some of the headlines he published 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.”
Another read: “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 other fabricated headlines 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. Another read: “Breaking News: They should organise 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 yet clear whether Ofoegbu has been arrested by security operatives, as the apology message was accompanied by a video in which he appeared visibly frightened while apologising for his actions.