The Supreme Court has addressed and dismissed claims that Justice Emmanuel Agim acted as an escort for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during the University of Calabar (UNICAL) convocation ceremony.
This clarification was issued in response to public reactions to a photo showing Justice Agim seated next to Wike, who was also being honored at the event.
Justice Agim was notably the author of the Supreme Court’s recent lead judgment regarding the political crisis in Rivers State, which ultimately influenced President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
In a statement released on Monday by Dr. Festus Akande, the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court, it was clarified that Justice Agim attended the UNICAL convocation as an honoree himself, and not in the capacity of an escort for any government official.
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The statement reads: “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.
“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.
“Hon. Justice Agim attended the convocation as an esteemed honouree and an alumnus of the institution, whom the Governing Council had found worthy to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa).
“He was recognised for his significant contributions to the legal profession, which is a reflection of his commitment to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, serving as a model for aspiring legal professionals and students alike.
“Hon. Justice Agim was scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Hon. Justice Stanley Alagoa alongside other Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court in Bayelsa State but sought permission to go for the convocation ceremony.
“We wish to emphasize that Justice Emmanuel Agim’s participation at the ceremony was independent and not as an official representative of any government ministry or department, let alone accompanying any serving or retired government official. Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy.
“We encourage the public and media to verify information through credible sources before sharing or publishing to prevent the spread of misinformation.”
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