‘We can’t probe serving Judges’ – ICPC denies arresting Justice Omotosho

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed reports claiming that it arrested or is investigating James Omotosho, a judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja.

A video circulating on social media had alleged that the anti-corruption agency arrested the judge and had begun probing him over claims of corruption.

However, the commission described the report as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, ICPC spokesperson John Okor Odey urged members of the public to ignore the viral claims.

Odey explained that the commission does not have the authority to investigate serving judicial officers, stressing that the information being circulated online about the alleged arrest of the judge is not true.

“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 reads.

“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 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.

“For the avoidance of doubt the ICPC has no mandate to investigate serving judicial Officers. And the Commission is an agency that has very high regards for not only the honourable Justice James Omotosho but for all judicial Officers in Nigeria.

“The public is also encouraged to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of information circulating in social media before sharing it.”

There have been a series of disinformation campaigns against Omotosho since 2025, following the conviction and sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), over charges connected with terrorism.

A couple of days after the verdict, the federal high court in Abuja denied a report claiming that Omotosho narrowly escaped an assassination attempt after Kanu’s sentencing.

Some social media reports had claimed that the judge was invited by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the conviction.

On November 20, 2025, Omotosho sentenced the IPOB leader to life imprisonment after the defendant was convicted of terrorism.

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