Federal High Court denies assassination attempt on Justice Omotosho after Kanu life sentence

Federal High Court denies assassination attempt on Justice Omotosho after Kanu life sentence

The Federal High Court (FHC) has dismissed as fake news a viral report alleging that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt following his recent judgment sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.

The rumour, circulated by a blogger on Facebook, claimed that the judge was attacked early Saturday morning and rushed to a hospital as security operatives scrambled to secure the area.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday, the Chief Registrar of the FHC, Sulaiman Hassan, debunked the report, describing it as false, unfounded and malicious.

The statement, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” warned the public against spreading misinformation capable of undermining confidence in the judiciary.

“We firmly and unequivocally declare that the report is completely false,” Hassan said. “The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination.”

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He urged security agencies to investigate the source of the fabricated story and prosecute those responsible under laws relating to cybercrime, defamation and public misinformation. Hassan noted that such false claims could cause panic or serve as a form of intimidation against the judiciary.

Justice Omotosho had, last Thursday, sentenced Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple terrorism offences. While several counts carried the death penalty, the judge said he opted for mercy, citing Christian principles from Matthew 23:23 and considering an allocutus presented on Kanu’s behalf by Rep Obi Aguocha.

He ordered that Kanu be kept in protective custody outside Kuje Correctional Centre, barred him from using digital devices except under strict monitoring by the Office of the National Security Adviser, and ruled that his radio transmitter be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Justice Omotosho also noted that Kanu exhibited “unruly behaviours” during trial and showed no remorse, concluding that he “has a tendency of violence.”

The FHC reiterated its commitment to transparency and impartiality, urging Nigerians to disregard attempts to distort judicial processes through misinformation.

Federal High Court denies assassination attempt on Justice Omotosho after Kanu life sentence