Federal High Court Addresses Assassination Attempt on Justice Omotosho

By Taiye Agbaje The Federal High Court (FHC) has stated that the claim that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt after ...

By Taiye Agbaje

The Federal High Court (FHC) has stated that the claim that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt after Nnamdi Kanu received a life sentence is false.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) states that a blogger shared on his Facebook account that Justice Omotosho endured an assassination attempt early Saturday morning, shortly after imposing a life sentence on Nnamdi Kanu.

As per the report, Justice Omotosho was quickly taken to a hospital while security personnel worked urgently to protect the location.

However, Sulaiman Hassan, the Chief Registrar of FHC, stated in a release provided to journalists on Sunday morning that the report was false.

The statement is entitled, "Rebuttal of Misleading Content by 'Celebrity Blogger' Regarding the Alleged Attempt on Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court."

It states: “The Federal High Court has been made aware of a post by CELEBRITY BLOGGER, which claims that Honourable Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja survived an assassination attempt after Nnamdi Kanu was given a life sentence.”

We hereby strongly and clearly state that the mentioned report is entirely false and baseless.

Individuals are encouraged to consider this material as false information and avoid sharing it further to stop the spread of inaccurate content.

Hassan, therefore, urged the appropriate security organizations to initiate an investigation into the report with the aim of apprehending and bringing the perpetrators to justice according to the legal framework.

Considering the seriousness of the report, which could lead to public alarm and erode trust in the judicial system—possibly designed as a means of intimidation—we urge the appropriate security agencies and regulatory bodies to carry out a comprehensive inquiry.

The objective is to locate and arrest those accountable for this false report and bring them to justice under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially those concerning cybercrime, defamation, and public deception.

On Thursday, Justice Omotosho reduced the death penalty for Kanu, the head of the recognized Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to a life sentence following his conviction on seven terrorism-related charges.

The judge imposed a life sentence on him for counts one, two, four, five, and six, each of which originally carried the death penalty.

For count three, concerning the charges of being part of a banned terrorist organization, Judge Omotosho imposed a 20-year prison term with no possibility of a fine.

On the seventh count, related to his illegal importation of a radio transmitter intended to support the secret operations of Radio Biafra, which is not registered in Nigeria, the judge imposed a five-year prison sentence with no possibility of a fine.

He, however, stated that to further show compassion towards the defendant, charges three and seven would be served at the same time,

The judge, who observed that Kanu had been disruptive throughout the trial, stated that the law permitted the court to impose the death penalty for the terrorism charges, but he (the judge), as a Christian, decided to show compassion to the defendant, referencing Matthew 23:23.

Justice Omotosho gave equal attention to the statement delivered by Rep Obi Aguocha, who represents the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia in the National Assembly, on Kanu's behalf.

He directed that the IPOB leader be placed under protective custody anywhere in the country, except at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, and that the radio transmitter be surrendered to the Federal Government.

Besides, the judge ordered that Kanu, while in custody, should be restricted from making use of digital devices to prevent him from further incitement.

He argued that if Kanu needs to use a digital device, it should be strictly supervised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The judge ruled that concerning additional evidence discovered with Kanu, the Department of State Services (DSS), the prosecution body, was allowed to file a request for seizure with the Federal Government following the completion of the 90-day appeal period.

Justice Omotosho, who characterized Kanu's behavior as "disruptive," stated that the defendant showed no signs of regret.

"I am certain that the defendant has a history of violence, and it continues to affect him," the judge stated.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).