Lawyer writes CJ to transfer $2.1m case against Wike’s son over family ties with trial judge

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

A lawyer has asked the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, to transfer a $2.1 million land fraud suit against Jordan Wike, son of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, from the court of Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

In his testimony before the court, Jordan  told the court that his signature on the said land document tendered before it was forged and that he has no link with the claimants.

He told Justice Oriji that he was out of the country around September 26, 2025, the date the claimants say he received the money.

Speaking under cross-examination by counsel to the claimants, Hamza Dantani, Jordan said: “I did not receive any money from anybody. I did not sign any document for land deal. I only found out that my signature was on the land document, just like anyone else in this court.”

In a letter to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Ibrahim Waru, counsel to Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, said the request was necessary to avoid a situation that could give a fair-minded and informed observer reason to apprehend bias.

The letter dated October 7, was received by the CJ’s chambers received and acknowledged on October 8.

  Waru requested the transfer of Suit No. CV/008/26 from Court 2 to another court of the FCT High Court. A copy was made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

The letter is titled “Request for Transfer of Suit CV/008/26 between Safwan Garba GY & Another Vs Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom Wike from Court 2 on Ground of Reasonable Apprehension of Bias.”

Waru said his clients’ concern arose from certain social media publications which, in his view, could give rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias.

“In particular, the Honourable Judge presiding over the matter is from the same area/community as the defendant, and there exists a close geographical/community and family affinity between His Lordship and the defendant,” the letter read in part.

A copy of one of the publications was attached as Annexure 1.

Waru stressed that the request was not intended to impugn the integrity, impartiality or competence of Justice Oriji.

“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge,” he said. “Rather, the request is founded on the need to avoid circumstances capable of creating a reasonable perception or apprehension that the matter may not be determined with the required appearance of complete impartiality.”

He cited the principle that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done, adding that public confidence in the judicial process is best preserved when circumstances that may reasonably raise apprehension of bias are avoided.

According to him, irrespective of the presiding judge’s actual state of mind, the circumstances could create an impression that his relationship or common community background with the defendant might influence, or be seen as capable of influencing, the adjudication.

“In the circumstances, and purely in the interest of justice, fairness and preservation of confidence in the judicial process, we respectfully urge Your Lordship to exercise the administrative powers of the Honourable Chief Judge to transfer the suit,” he said.

He added that a transfer would not amount to an adverse finding against the judge, but would eliminate any reasonable apprehension of bias and ensure all parties approach the proceedings with confidence in the impartiality of the process.

In the suit, the claimants alleged that they met Jordan in London and developed a rapport. About three months later, they met again in Abuja, where they approached him for help in acquiring land.

They claimed Jordan agreed and assured them of 30 hectares each at Katampe and Guzape. They said he put his facilitation fee at $2.1 million, of which $2 million was for his father and $100,000 for himself.

The claimants alleged that the cash was delivered on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy. They said that after receiving the money, Jordan neither delivered the land nor refunded the money, and went incommunicado.

Jordan, who adopted his statement on oath, denied all the claims. Under cross-examination by the claimants’ lawyer, he said he had no knowledge of the allegations.

Jordan, also a lawyer, told the court that his signature on the document presented before it was forged, and that he has no link whatsoever with the claimants.

Justice Oriji has adjourned the case until December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.