By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
On Saturday afternoon, Ejike Ofoegbu, publisher of “Igbo Times Magazine” and “I News,” issued a public apology to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for a couple of completely false stories he had published against the Governor and his family. His retraction entitled “public apology and full retraction” was shared on his I News platform with over 177 thousand followers on Facebook, and on his Igbo Times Magazine, with over 41 thousand followers. One hour later, he made a video he shared on the two platforms, again apologizing to the Governor of Anambra State and seeking to be forgiven. But not all wrongs are simply forgiven on account of mere apology.
Four days ago, Ejike made a fabricated post, falsely alleging that Governor Soludo’s son had called his father names among other outrageous lies. A day after, he followed up with another complete falsehood, telling bizarre lies against the Governor and his family. Then on Thursday, he came up with yet another fictitious tale against the Governor and his family. Throughout, Ejike placed his lies in quotation as though his fabrications were lifted directly from the Governor and his family, just to further strengthen the acceptability of his malicious and deliberate false tale. This, by any standard, is not an error of omission or a mere misplacement of facts. It is not an innocent mistake, but an intentional concoction coked by Ejike not only to misinform the public, but to cause irreparable damage. This is regrettable, and it is hard to explain how someone can go to such lengths to lie about another just for the sake of it.
Worst still, for many years, Ejike with his crappy Igbo Times Magazine has gained a reputation as a fake news mill outlet, with dangerous consequences that are far-reaching. Ejike was one of those who were aiding criminal non-state actors in the Southeast, parading as freedom fighters, with sensational headlines. Unfortunately, he had continued to build his reputation on falsehood and empty lies, while pretending to be invisible. Ejike’s specific inclination for fake stories makes him a dangerous person in society, considering the boundless crookedness of his mind in churning out lies that he goes on to publish.
Regrettably, it is often sad to see well-educated Nigerians share some of his fake stories. A few days ago, I saw some people I hold in high esteem sharing Ejike’s fake stories, and I felt pity for them. I don’t believe that at a certain level and experience in life, people should fall for fake news no matter how enticing. Fake news is the easiest thing to expose using simple verification tools. A story’s source is the number one pointer to whether it is credible or not. Ejike and his Igbo Times Magazine are notorious fake news peddlers, and the way people lick up each new fake story tells another story. It is a sad commentary that speaks to the anarchical nature of online content, but even worse, how people willfully enable characters like Ejike to thrive by supporting his fake story business.
For whatever it is, Ejike would have to answer for his activities online. Hiding behind keypads does not make anyone invisible. Ejike should answer for many years of churning out absolutely fabricated stories. Years of aiding criminals, undermining public order and living in a fool’s paradise; the State should step in and stamp its authority against such reckless, dangerous and wicked misuse of freedom and access to the internet. Such thoughtless behavior should not be entertained in any organized society with a functional government.
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