The Supreme Court of Nigeria has refuted claims circulating on social media that Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information & Public Relations, Akande Festus, the Court dismissed these reports as a false narrative.
The statement clarified that Justice Agim attended the event as an esteemed honoree and alumnus of the university, where the Governing Council had conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa).
The Supreme Court emphasized that Justice Agim’s attendance at the ceremony was independent and not in his capacity as an official representative of any government ministry or department, nor was he accompanying any government official, either serving or retired.
Any suggestion to the contrary, the statement continued, is both inaccurate and a threat to the judicial independence essential for a functioning democracy.
The statement reads: “In light of reports circulating on social media and other news platforms, we wish to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attendance of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim at the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
“We have learned that misleading information has been shared, claiming that Hon. Justice Agim attended the ceremony alongside the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. We categorically reject this false narrative.
“Justice Agim attended the event as an honored alumnus of the university and a distinguished honoree, recognized by the Governing Council for his exemplary contributions to the legal profession, which have demonstrated his dedication to justice, integrity, and the rule of law—qualities that make him a role model for future legal professionals and students.
“Justice Agim had initially been scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Hon. Justice Stanley Alagoa in Bayelsa State, but he requested permission to attend the convocation ceremony instead.
“We want to stress that Justice Agim’s participation at the ceremony was entirely independent and not as a representative of any government body or official.
“Any claims to the contrary are not only false but also undermine the vital judicial independence necessary for our democracy.
“We urge the public and media to verify information through reliable sources before sharing or publishing, in order to prevent the spread of misinformation.”
