The Federal High Court has dismissed as fake news a report alleging that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt after sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the claim originated from a blogger who posted on Facebook that Justice Omotosho was attacked on Saturday morning, days after delivering the judgment on Kanu. The post also alleged that the judge was rushed to hospital as security operatives moved to secure the area.
However, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, refuted the report in a statement issued on Sunday.
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 urged security agencies to investigate the false report with the aim of tracing, arresting and prosecuting 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 is 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 added.
NAN recalls that Justice Omotosho, on Thursday, commuted the death sentence of Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, to life imprisonment after he was convicted of seven terrorism charges. The judge imposed life imprisonment for counts one, two, four, five and six, all of which carried the death penalty.
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For count three, which bordered on belonging to a proscribed terrorist group, he sentenced Kanu to 20 years without an option of fine. He also imposed five years without an option of fine on count seven, involving unlawful importation of a radio transmitter intended to advance the activities of Radio Biafra.
The judge said the sentences for counts three and seven would run concurrently as an act of mercy, noting that although the law permits a death sentence for terrorism offences, he, as a Christian, exercised leniency, citing Mathew 23:23.
Justice Omotosho also considered the allocutus delivered by Rep Obi Aguocha on Kanu’s behalf. He ordered that the IPOB leader be held in protective custody outside the Kuje Correctional Centre and directed that the radio transmitter be forfeited to the Federal Government.
He further restricted Kanu from using digital devices while in custody unless under close monitoring by the Office of the National Security Adviser. The judge said the Department of State Services could apply for forfeiture of other recovered exhibits after the 90-day appeal window.
Describing Kanu’s conduct during trial as “unruly behaviours,” Justice Omotosho said the defendant showed no remorse. “I have no hesitation to conclude that the defendant has a tendency of violence and it has not left him,” he had said.
(NAN)