By Jane Okafor, Abuja
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has denied claims that it arrested or is investigating Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A viral social media clip had alleged that the anti-graft agency arrested and was probing the judge over corruption allegations.
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the ICPC spokesperson, John Okor Odey, urged the public to disregard the claim, describing it as false and misleading.
Odey explained that the commission neither arrested nor invited Justice Omotosho for questioning and is not conducting any investigation involving the judge.
“The commission states categorically that the claim contained in the video is entirely untrue and intended to spread mischief and mislead members of the public,” the statement read.
“ICPC wishes to clarify that it has neither arrested nor invited Justice James Omotosho in relation to any investigation. The commission is also not investigating the honourable judge as alleged in the video.”
The spokesperson further noted that the ICPC does not have the mandate to investigate serving judicial officers and holds the judiciary in high regard.
“The commission therefore urges members of the public to disregard the misleading content and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary public concern and damaging reputations,” Odey said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the ICPC has no mandate to investigate serving judicial officers. The commission holds Justice James Omotosho, as well as all judicial officers in Nigeria, in very high regard.”
He also advised the public to verify the authenticity of information circulating on social media before sharing it.
Justice Omotosho has been the subject of several disinformation campaigns since 2025, following the conviction and sentencing of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on terrorism-related charges.
A few days after the verdict, the Federal High Court in Abuja also debunked reports claiming that the judge narrowly escaped an assassination attempt following Kanu’s sentencing.
Some social media posts had equally alleged that Justice Omotosho was invited by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the conviction.
One of the recent landmark cases handled by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja include the trial and conviction of Nnamdi Kanu (2025).
Justice Omotosho presided over the long-running terrorism trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In November 2025, the court found Kanu guilty on several terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment on five counts, with additional prison terms of 20 years and five years on other counts, to run concurrently.
The case attracted national and international attention because it involved separatist agitation, national security issues, and deemed as one of Nigeria’s most controversial political trials.
