The Federal High Court has dismissed as fake news a viral report alleging that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt days after sentencing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment.

The report, shared by a Facebook blogger and widely circulated online, claimed that unknown assailants attacked the judge on Saturday morning, forcing him to be rushed to a hospital.

However, in a statement on Sunday, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, described the claim as false, misleading, and malicious.

The statement, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” cautioned Nigerians against spreading the rumour.

“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,” the Court said.

“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.”

Expressing concern over the intent behind the circulation of the false report, Hassan called on security agencies and regulatory authorities to launch a thorough investigation to uncover those responsible and prosecute them under relevant laws, including cybercrime and defamation statutes.

He warned that such misinformation could incite panic and undermine public confidence in the judiciary, noting that the publication may have been aimed at intimidation.

Last Thursday, Justice Omotosho sentenced Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment after convicting him on terrorism-related charges. He commuted the death penalty attached to five of the seven counts, stating that although the law permitted him to impose the maximum punishment, he chose leniency.

“As a Christian, I chose to be merciful,” the judge said, referencing Matthew 23:23.

Kanu received life sentences on counts one, two, four, five, and six; 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine on count three; and five years without an option of fine on count seven. The judge ordered that the sentences for counts three and seven run concurrently.

Justice Omotosho also directed that Kanu be held in protective custody outside the Kuje Correctional Centre and barred him from accessing digital devices except under strict monitoring by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of Kanu’s radio transmitter to the Federal Government and noted that the Department of State Services (DSS) may file for forfeiture of other exhibits after the 90-day window for appeal.

Describing Kanu as “unruly” and “not remorseful,” the judge said, “I have no hesitation to conclude that the defendant has a tendency of violence and it has not left him.”