The National Judicial Council (NJC) has publicly refuted a rumor alleging that two of the five judges who served on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s election victory, have died under suspicious circumstances. According to the NJC, the claim circulating on social media and certain outlets is completely false.
The justices in question, Justice Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf and Justice Boloukuoromo Moses Ugo, were part of the tribunal panel that unanimously upheld the February 25, 2023, election results in a judgment on September 6, 2023. This decision dismissed the petitions brought by opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi from the Labour Party, stating that their claims were without merit.
Rumors began circulating that both justices had passed away on the same day under mysterious circumstances. Allegedly, Justice Bolaji-Yusuf had been in “good health” the night before but was found unresponsive by her family the next morning. The story claimed that Justice Ugo, in a separate incident, was discovered dead after a loud noise came from his room early in the morning, with family members finding him “bleeding and unresponsive.”
In response, NJC Secretary Ahmed Saleh dismissed these claims, labeling them as “false news” and assuring the public that both justices are “alive, well, and carrying out their duties.” Saleh urged the public to disregard the rumor entirely, calling it a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
An unnamed official from the Court of Appeal also backed up the NJC’s statement, confirming that “the justices are in good health.” He expressed disappointment that such rumors could arise, adding, “It is most unfortunate that mischief-makers will sit in a corner and wish death on others. Please ignore the false news.”
