The federal high court in Abuja has rejected a report claiming that James Omotosho, a judge, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt after sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.
In a statement on Sunday signed by Sulaiman Hassan, the chief registrar, the court said its attention was drawn to the report posted by a blog.
It described the report as “completely false and unfounded”, adding that it is “fake news” deliberately crafted to mislead the public and sow distrust in the judiciary.
“The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement reads.
The court expressed concern that the story could cause panic, erode confidence in the justice system, and may be part of a plot to intimidate judicial officers.
It also implored law enforcement and regulatory agencies to identify and prosecute persons behind the publication.
“We call on the relevant security agencies and regulatory authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute them in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly those relating to cybercrime, defamation, and public misinformation,” the statement reads.
The court urged the public to remain cautious and verify information before sharing — especially information on sensitive judicial matters.
On November 20, Omotosho sentenced Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment after the defendant was convicted of terrorism.
