Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
In a dramatic and humbling turn of events, a Nigerian blogger and content creator, Ejike Ofoegbu, has issued a public apology and unconditional retraction, confessing that a series of viral stories and videos he published about Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his son, Ozonna, were entirely fabricated for the sole purpose of generating online traffic, increasing audience engagement, and making money. Ofoegbu, who identifies himself as the publisher of Igbo Times Magazine and INews, made the confession in a statement titled "Public Apology and Full Retraction," which was shared on Saturday, July 11, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.
The controversy began after a video of Ozonna Soludo went viral, showing him dancing to a song that called out several Nigerian politicians, including his father. Seizing on the public interest, Ofoegbu published a series of fabricated news articles claiming that Governor Soludo had disowned his son and was no longer responsible for his actions. In another report, he falsely claimed that Ozonna had granted an interview in which he said he had first disowned his father, listing several reasons for doing so.
The fabricated headlines were sensational and damaging. One 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 falsely quoted Ozonna as saying: "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." Other absurd claims included a satirical report that Governor Soludo had said, "I ordered Ozo from Temu. He is Chinese-made, not my son," and another that quoted Ozonna challenging Nyesom Wike to a drinking competition with his father.
In his apology statement, Ofoegbu did not mince words. He publicly admitted that the stories he published concerning Governor Soludo and his son were completely fake, false, fabricated, and untrue, stating that they did not come from Governor Soludo, his son, his family, or any official representative, and that they were not based on any verified facts or credible source. He took full responsibility for his actions, stating clearly and without reservation that every one of the statements was fake and should not be regarded as factual reports or genuine quotations. Ofoegbu also admitted to publishing other false reports involving Governor Soludo and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, including claims suggesting that Obi would defeat Soludo in an election, and confessed that all these publications were driven by a desire to attract audience engagement and generate revenue.
In a moment of genuine remorse, Ofoegbu reflected on the damage he had caused, sincerely admitting that he published such stories in pursuit of online traffic, audience engagement, and financial gain. He acknowledged that no amount of money or online attention can justify spreading false information or damaging another person's reputation, and he deeply regretted his actions. He apologised to Governor Soludo, his family, associates, readers of his platforms, and the people of Anambra State for the embarrassment and reputational damage caused by the reports.
As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether Ofoegbu has been arrested by security operatives. The apology message was accompanied by a video in which he appeared visibly frightened while apologising for his actions. No official statement had been issued by the authorities as of Sunday, July 12, 2026. His confession and retraction, however, have been widely shared across social media platforms, sparking debates about the growing menace of fake news, the ethics of content creation, and the need for stricter regulation of online publishers in Nigeria. The case of Ejike Ofoegbu serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of misinformation in the digital age, where the pursuit of clicks and revenue can lead to the destruction of reputations and the erosion of public trust. As Ofoegbu himself admitted, no amount of money can justify the damage caused by spreading false information.
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