The Federal High Court (FHC) has described as fake news a report alleging that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt days after sentencing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment.
The court said a blogger claimed on Facebook that Justice Omotosho was attacked early Saturday morning and taken to a hospital as security personnel moved to secure the area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Chief Registrar of the FHC, Sulaiman Hassan, said the report was false.
The statement, titled “Rebuttal to False Publication by ‘Celebrity Blogger’ on the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court,” said the court was aware of the post and had verified that no such incident occurred.
According to the statement, the public should disregard the report and avoid sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Mr Hassan urged security agencies to investigate the source of the post and prosecute those responsible under relevant laws on cybercrime, defamation and public misinformation.
Justice Omotosho sentenced Mr Kanu on Thursday after finding him guilty on seven counts of terrorism.
The judge imposed life imprisonment on counts one, two, four, five and six, which carried the death penalty.
For count three, relating to membership of a proscribed group, the judge sentenced Kanu to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
On count seven, which involved the importation of a radio transmitter linked to Radio Biafra, he received five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the sentences for counts three and seven would run concurrently.
He ordered that Kanu be kept in protective custody outside Kuje Correctional Centre and restricted from using digital devices unless monitored by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The judge also directed that the radio transmitter be forfeited to the federal government, while other exhibits could be subject to a forfeiture application by the State Security Services after 90 days of appeal.
Justice Omotosho stated during sentencing that the defendant had shown no remorse and displayed unruly conduct throughout the trial.
