March 24, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court has clarified the presence of Justice Emmanuel Agim at the University of Calabar’s convocation ceremony on Saturday, March 22, dismissing reports that he accompanied the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to the event.
Justice Agim was part of the five-member panel of the apex court that, on February 28, upheld a Federal High Court order preventing the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing Rivers State’s monthly allocations.
The court also affirmed the leadership of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers in the state’s House of Assembly, a ruling that has since sparked controversy and allegations of undue influence.
Amid this, reports surfaced alleging that Justice Agim attended the UNICAL convocation in Wike’s company, fueling speculation over the court’s neutrality in political matters.
However, in a statement on Monday, the Supreme Court, through its Director of Press and Information, Festus Akande, debunked the claims, stating that Agim was at the ceremony solely as an honouree and alumnus of the institution.
“It has come to our attention that misleading reports are suggesting that Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to the convocation ceremony. We hereby dispel this false narrative,” the statement read.
According to the apex court, Justice Agim was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contributions to the legal profession.
“He was recognized for his dedication to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, serving as a model for aspiring legal professionals and students alike,” the statement added.
The court further disclosed that Justice Agim had initially been scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of the late Justice Stanley Alagoa in Bayelsa State alongside other Supreme Court justices but sought permission to attend the convocation instead.
Reiterating the independence of the judiciary, the statement emphasized that Agim’s presence at the event was in no way linked to any government official or political interest.
“We encourage the public and media to verify information through credible sources before sharing or publishing to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the court advised.
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