The Federal High Court has dismissed as fake news a circulating report claiming that Justice James Omotosho, who is presiding over the prosecution of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, survived an assassination attempt.
On Saturday, social media platforms were flooded with rumours alleging that Justice Omotosho had been attacked, just 48 hours after he sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment.
According to the unverified claims, the judge was “immediately rushed to a hospital” while security operatives moved swiftly to secure the area.
Reacting in a statement issued early Sunday, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, said the allegation was false.
“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 statement further cautioned the public to disregard the claim.
“The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination to prevent the spread of misinformation,” it added.
Hassan also urged security agencies to investigate the source of the rumour and take appropriate action.
“Given the gravity of the report, which has the potential to cause panic and undermine confidence in the judicial system, possibly intended as a form of intimidation, we call on the relevant security agencies and regulatory authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.
“The goal being to identify and apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this false report 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 stated.