The Supreme Court has rejected claims that one of its Justices travelled to Edo State because of a political case. According to the court, the Justice went to Benin City on June 12, 2025, to attend the funeral of the late mother of Hannibal Uwaifo, a senior lawyer and former African Bar Association President.
In a statement released by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. Festus Akande, the court described the viral reports as false and damaging. The Justice, it explained, had received permission from the Chief Justice of Nigeria before making the trip.
The court stressed that the visit was purely personal and had nothing to do with any political matter. The Justice only attended the funeral service at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and a brief stop at a service of songs before returning to his hotel. He did not participate in any political meeting or request to be part of any panel, as claimed online.
A photo circulating online, which reportedly shows the Justice alone heading back to his hotel, was dismissed by the court as misleading and lacking any connection to the allegations.
The Supreme Court warned that spreading false stories about judges can damage public trust and urged people to verify information through official channels. It emphasized that the judiciary remains focused on delivering justice and will not be shaken by efforts to harm its image.
