The Federal High Court (FHC) has dismissed reports alleging that Justice James Omotosho survived an assassination attempt days after sentencing Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment.

A social media post by a blogger had claimed that the judge was attacked early Saturday morning and rushed to a hospital, following his verdict on the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

However, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Sulaiman Hassan, in a statement on Sunday, described the report as 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 publication was completely unfounded.

“The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement read.

The court called on security agencies to investigate the report and prosecute those responsible for spreading misinformation capable of causing panic and undermining confidence in the judicial system.

Justice Omotosho had on Thursday sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple terrorism-related charges.

The judge commuted five counts, each carrying a death penalty, to life imprisonment. He also imposed 20 years’ imprisonment on count three and five years on count seven, with both to 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 court also directed the forfeiture of a radio transmitter linked to Radio Biafra and allowed the DSS to apply for forfeiture of other exhibits after 90 days.

Justice Omotosho said he opted for a lighter sentence out of mercy, referencing Matthew 23:23, but described Kanu as unruly and unremorseful throughout the trial.