The Kogi State High Court has debunked reports circulating on social media claiming it ordered the deregistration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), describing the publication as false, misleading and capable of undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Lokoja, the court’s Chief Information Officer, Saqeeb Saeed, clarified that the High Court neither heard nor delivered any judgment concerning the registration or deregistration of the NDC or any other political party in Nigeria.
According to the statement, the viral report was accompanied by photographs of the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, and former Governor Yahaya Bello, creating what the court described as a deliberate and misleading impression that the purported judgment originated from the court.
The judiciary stressed that, although it would ordinarily ignore such misinformation, it was compelled to respond because of the potential damage the false report could cause to the credibility and integrity of the judicial system.
“The High Court neither handled nor determined any matter relating to the registration or deregistration of the National Democratic Congress or any other political party,” the statement said.
The court urged members of the public, especially social media users and content creators, to verify information before publishing or sharing reports capable of misleading the public.
It warned that the spread of false information aimed at tarnishing the image of judges, the High Court of Justice or other courts under its administrative supervision would no longer be tolerated.
The judiciary, therefore, called on Nigerians to disregard the viral publication, reaffirming its commitment to dispensing justice fairly, diligently and without fear or favour.
