The Federal High Court has called for the arrest and investigation of a blogger who falsely reported that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt over his conviction and life sentencing of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The report, circulated by a blogger on Facebook, alleged that Justice Omotosho was attacked on Saturday morning, two days after handing down the sentence, claiming the judge was rushed to a hospital as security personnel secured the area.
However, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, in a statement on Sunday, described the publication as entirely false.
The statement was titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court”.
Hassan said, “The attention of the Federal High Court has been drawn to a publication by a Celebrity Blogger, alleging that the Honourable Justice James Omotosho 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 publication, highlighting the seriousness of reports that could cause panic and undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
“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.
Justice Omotosho, on Thursday, convicted Kanu of terrorism charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Although the law permitted the death penalty, the judge cited his Christian faith, referencing Matthew 23:23, in opting for leniency.
Justice Omotosho also ordered that the IPOB leader be held in protective custody outside Kuje Correctional Centre and that the radio transmitter be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Kanu was barred from using digital devices while in custody unless closely monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The judge further noted that the Department of State Services could apply for forfeiture of other recovered exhibits after the 90-day appeal period.
Kanu has since been transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
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