Court of Appeal Dismisses News of Justice Ugo’s Resignation as Fake
The Court of Appeal has firmly denied the authenticity of the news claiming that a member of the five-member panel, Justice Boloukuoromo M. Ugo, resigned from handling petitions aimed at nullifying the election of President Bola Tinubu. According to a high-ranking official from the court, the information circulating is “fake news” created by malicious rumor mongers. The court clarified that no such resignation or meeting with a former Governor of Rivers State occurred.
The official stated that the petitions’ parties were given time to file and exchange their final written address, and the process was ongoing. Once completed, a date for the parties to appear in court and adopt their processes will be communicated, after which the petitions will be scheduled for judgment.
The Chief Registrar of the court, Malam Umar Bangari, also confirmed the news as fake, expressing disappointment that the court was not contacted to verify the false report before it was spread.
The “fake news” circulating on social media alleged that Justice Ugo resigned due to pressure from the executive arm of the government, which he believed would harm the judiciary and the country’s democracy. The report further claimed that he was asked to rule in favor of President Tinubu and suppress evidence against him, which he vehemently refused to do.
Additionally, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had previously debunked news of a telephone conversation with President Tinubu regarding the petitions seeking to remove him from office.
