The Supreme Court has once again issued a strong warning against what it considers the spread of false and misleading reports targeting its justices and the judiciary as an institution.
In a statement released on Saturday, the court made it clear that it will no longer tolerate deliberate attempts to undermine the credibility and integrity of its members through misinformation.
The statement appears to be a response to social media claims that a Supreme Court justice traveled to Benin City in connection with a political case recently filed before the court. The court called on those who comment on judicial matters to act with responsibility and caution.
The statement, signed by Dr Festus Akande, Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court, expressed deep concern over the misleading narrative.
According to the court, the justice in question traveled to Benin City on Thursday, 12 June 2025, to attend the funeral of the late mother of Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, a senior lawyer and former President of the African Bar Association.
The court clarified that the justice had formally sought and received permission from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) before making the trip. The visit, it said, was purely private and related to condolence and bereavement.
The statement emphasized that the justice did not attend any political meeting or seek involvement in any legal panel, contrary to the rumors. Apart from attending the funeral service at St Matthews Catholic Church and a brief appearance at a service of songs, the justice returned to his hotel room without participating in any other events.
The court said that the photo being circulated online only shows the justice walking alone back to his hotel and does not support the sensational claims being made.
The Supreme Court condemned what it described as baseless speculation and malicious commentary, noting that such actions harm public trust in the judiciary. It urged members of the public, especially those who discuss judicial matters, to seek accurate information through official channels rather than spread false claims.
The judiciary, the statement concluded, remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will not be distracted by efforts to damage its reputation.
