The Federal High Court has refuted a circulating report alleging that Justice James Omotosho narrowly escaped an assassination attempt days after he allegedly issued a life sentence against Nnamdi Kanu.
The court clarified that the information, which originated from a Facebook post by a blogger, is entirely fabricated.
According to the false report, Justice Omotosho was said to have survived an attack early Saturday morning. However, in a statement released on Sunday by the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, the judiciary emphasised that the story has no factual basis.
The press release, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” addressed the claims head-on, urging the public to disregard them.
It stated, “The attention of the Federal High Court has been drawn to a publication by CELEBRITY BLOGGER, alleging that the Honourable Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, survived an assassination attempt following the life sentence imposed on Nnamdi Kanu.
“We hereby firmly and unequivocally declare that the said report is completely false and unfounded. The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination to prevent the spread of misinformation.”
The court warned that the false publication could create public anxiety and weaken trust in the justice system, adding that it might even be aimed at intimidation. As a result, the Federal High Court called on security agencies and regulatory authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation.
The statement further urged that those responsible for spreading the false information should be identified and prosecuted under Nigerian laws pertaining to cybercrime, defamation, and the circulation of misleading content.
The court reiterated its commitment to maintaining public trust and ensuring that misleading narratives do not interfere with judicial integrity or public order.
What You Should Know
Justice James Omotosho is a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja and has been the subject of public attention in recent times due to sensitive cases before him.
The false report linking him to an assassination attempt stemmed from an unverified social media post, prompting the court to issue a formal rebuttal.
The Federal High Court maintains that the claim is entirely without merit and has called for a full investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
