March 24, 2025
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed reports suggesting that Justice Emmanuel Agim attended the University of Calabar’s convocation ceremony alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued on Monday, the apex court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Akande Festus, clarified that Justice Agim was at the convocation as an honouree and alumnus of the university, where he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law by the institution’s Governing Council.
The statement emphasized that Justice Agim’s presence was entirely independent and had no connection with any government ministry or official.
“In light of the reports circulating on social media and other news platforms, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attendance of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar on Saturday, 22nd March 2025,” the statement read.
“It has come to our attention that misleading information has emerged, suggesting that Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to the ceremony. We hereby dispel this false narrative.”
Festus further explained that Justice Agim had initially planned to attend the burial ceremony of Justice Stanley Alagoa in Bayelsa State with other Supreme Court Justices but had obtained permission to attend the convocation instead.
The Supreme Court urged the public and media to exercise caution in disseminating information, emphasizing the importance of verifying facts from credible sources to prevent the spread of misinformation.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy,” the statement concluded.