The Supreme Court judge who read the judgement that ignited the current crisis in Rivers, Justice Emmanuel Agim, over the weekend, was sighted together with the current minister of the federal capital territory, Nysom Wike at the University of Calabar’s (UNICAL) convocation ceremony.
This however, has raised serious eyebrows among concerned political stakeholders.
The institution marked its 50th anniversary and 37th convocation ceremony on Saturday, which brought several dignitaries together.
In a viral picture sighted by this medium, Mr. Wike was seen seated in the front row alongside Justice Agim and Ekaette Akpabio, the wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The picture has triggered reactions from concerned individuals considering the fact that Justice Agim was the judge who read the supreme court judgment that instigated the crisis in the oil rich state.
During the convocation ceremony, the university’s management honoured Wike with an honorary doctorate degree in law.
News Band reported that on February 28, the supreme court upheld the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.
The apex court had ordered the CBN to withhold Rivers’ financial allocations until Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, presented the state appropriation bill to the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the assembly.
The court also voided the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.
The judgment of the supreme court had given advantage to the Amaewhule-led faction, which is loyal to Wike, a former governor of the state.
Following the heightened political tension in the State, president Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency and also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu for six months.
Supreme Court makes clarification over the viral picture.
Moreover, the Supreme Court has debunked claims that Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanied the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesman of the apex court, Festus Akande, clarified that Justice Agim attended the event as an honoree, not as an escort of any government official.
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.”
