The Federal High Court has reacted to a report on social media alleging that Justice James Omotosho narrowly escaped an assassination attempt following his decision to sentence Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.
People’s Pen24 reports that the claim originated from a Facebook post by a blogger who alleged that gunmen targeted the judge in the early hours of Saturday, prompting an emergency response from security operatives and a rushed hospital visit.
Reacting to the post, Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, issued a statement on Sunday describing the report as entirely fabricated.
The statement, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” reads:“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.”
Hassan also urged security agencies to trace and prosecute those behind the report.“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.”
Recall that Justice Omotosho, on Thursday, commuted the death sentence earlier imposed on Kanu to life imprisonment after convicting him of seven terrorism-related charges. He handed down life sentences on counts one, two, four, five and six, while count three — linked to membership of a proscribed organisation — attracted 20 years without an option of fine.
For count seven, which involved the unlawful importation of a radio transmitter used for Radio Biafra’s activities, the court imposed a five-year term, also without an option of fine. The judge ordered that the sentences on counts three and seven run concurrently.
During his ruling, Justice Omotosho noted that although the law permitted a death penalty for the offences, he opted for leniency, citing his Christian faith and referencing Matthew 23:23. He also considered an allocutus made by Rep. Obi Aguocha on behalf of the defendant.
The judge further directed that Kanu be held in secure custody outside the Kuje Correctional Centre and barred him from using digital devices except under strict monitoring by the Office of the National Security Adviser. He ordered the forfeiture of the seized radio transmitter to the Federal Government and said other exhibits could be the subject of a forfeiture application by the DSS after the 90-day appeal period.
Justice Omotosho described Kanu’s courtroom behaviour as unruly and said: “I have no hesitation to conclude that the defendant has tendency of violence and it has not left him.”
