Federal High Court Denies Reports of Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho

The Federal High Court (FHC) has dismissed claims that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt following the life sentence handed down to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that a blogger had alleged on Facebook that Justice Omotosho was rushed to a hospital early Saturday morning after the purported attack.

Reacting, FHC Chief Registrar Sulaiman Hassan, in a statement on Sunday, described the report as “completely false and unfounded.” The statement, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” urged the public to treat the publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination.

Hassan called on security agencies to investigate the report and apprehend those responsible under laws relating to cybercrime, defamation, and public misinformation. He emphasized the potential of such false reports to cause panic and undermine confidence in the judiciary.

Justice Omotosho had, on Thursday, commuted Kanu’s death sentence to life imprisonment following his conviction on seven terrorism-related counts.

• Counts one, two, four, five, and six, which carried a death sentence each, were converted to life imprisonment.

• Count three, for belonging to a proscribed terrorist group, attracted 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.

• Count seven, concerning the unlawful importation of a radio transmitter for Radio Biafra, drew a five-year sentence without an option of a fine.

• Counts three and seven were ordered to run concurrently.

The judge, citing his Christian faith, noted that the law permitted the death penalty for Kanu’s offences but chose to show mercy. He also took into consideration an allocutus made on Kanu’s behalf by Rep. Obi Aguocha.

Kanu is to be kept in protective custody in a location other than Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja. His use of digital devices will be strictly restricted and monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser to prevent further incitement.

Justice Omotosho also allowed the Department of State Services (DSS) to apply for the forfeiture of other exhibits found with Kanu after 90 days of appeal. He described Kanu’s conduct throughout the trial as “unruly” and noted that the defendant showed no remorse, exhibiting a continued tendency toward violence.