Federal High Court Debunks Claim of Assassination Attempt on Justice Omotosho

The Federal High Court (FHC) has dismissed as false a viral report claiming that Justice James Omotosho narrowly escaped an assassination attempt following his verdict sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) earlier reported that a blogger posted on Facebook alleging that Justice Omotosho was attacked early Saturday morning and rushed to a hospital, with security operatives scrambling to secure the scene.

However, Chief Registrar of the FHC, 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,” debunked the claims in strong terms.

It reads in part:
“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 urged security agencies to investigate the source of the report and prosecute those behind it.
“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.”

NAN recalls that Justice Omotosho, on Thursday, commuted the death sentence earlier hanging over Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of seven terrorism-related charges.

He imposed life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five and six—each of which carried a death penalty.
For count three, involving membership of a proscribed terrorist organisation, the judge gave a 20-year sentence without an option of fine.
On count seven, relating to unlawful importation of a radio transmitter intended for Radio Biafra, he handed down a five-year term.

To extend what he described as “mercy,” Justice Omotosho ruled that the sentences for counts three and seven would run concurrently.

The judge criticised Kanu’s conduct throughout the trial, saying: “I have no hesitation to conclude that the defendant has tendency of violence and it has not left him.”
He also stated that although the law permitted a death sentence for terrorism offences, he chose leniency “as a Christian,” citing Matthew 23:23.

He acknowledged the plea for leniency made on Kanu’s behalf by Rep. Obi Aguocha of the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

Justice Omotosho further ordered that Kanu be kept in protective custody outside Kuje Correctional Centre, that the radio transmitter be forfeited to the Federal Government, and that Kanu be barred from using digital devices unless strictly monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

He added that the DSS could apply for forfeiture of other seized exhibits after the 90-day appeal window expires.

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