The Federal High Court has dismissed as baseless a viral social-media claim alleging that Justice James Omotosho escaped an assassination attempt shortly after delivering a life sentence against separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The rumour, attributed to a blogger’s Facebook post, suggested that the Abuja-based judge was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning while security operatives cordoned off the area.
The story circulated widely, moreover, fuelling speculation about threats to the judiciary.
However, the court’s Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Hassan, released a strongly worded rebuttal on Sunday, stressing that no such incident occurred.
He warned Nigerians to disregard what he described as a “fabricated story designed to stir panic.”
“The narrative being shared online is nothing more than a deliberate falsehood,” Hassan said.
“There was no attack, no medical emergency, and no security breach involving Justice Omotosho.”
Hassan explained that the institution viewed the post as a calculated attempt to intimidate the judiciary, adding that such misinformation could reduce public trust in the justice system.
Furthermore, he emphasised that the court would not allow fabricated claims to overshadow its work.
“The judiciary cannot be held hostage by sensational claims crafted for traffic and drama,” he noted. “We expect Nigerians to verify information before sharing it.”
He urged law-enforcement authorities to trace the origin of the false report and prosecute those responsible under existing cybercrime and defamation laws.
According to him, holding offenders accountable is necessary to curb the growing trend of online misinformation.
Legal analysts say the court’s rapid reaction may help calm nerves after a week marked by contentious rulings and intense public debate.
The episode also highlights how quickly unverified posts can escalate into national conversations.
The court reiterated that Justice Omotosho is safe and continues to perform his judicial duties without disruption, advising the public to rely on credible sources for updates on sensitive legal matters.
This episode widens ongoing conversations about digital responsibility and the impact of viral misinformation on Nigeria’s democratic institutions.