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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Lawyers in the suit over an alleged $2.1 million land deal involving Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, are locked in a public disagreement over what transpired in court.
At the centre of the dispute are rival statements by Ibrahim Waru, counsel to the claimants, Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, and Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, lead counsel to Jordan.
Onoja, in a statement reacting to an interview granted by Waru, disagreed with the claim that Jordan admitted receiving the $2.1 million, contrary to his defence.
He described the interview as “a flagrant misrepresentation” of court proceedings and said the “haze of lies and malicious fabrication” appeared to be an orchestrated media campaign aimed at whipping up sentiment, swaying public opinion and intimidating the judge.
Onoja urged the public to disregard what he called the “vicious and barefaced lies” of Garba and the misrepresentation by his lawyer, and described Waru’s conduct as contemptuous.
He also threatened criminal and civil action against any media house that spreads falsehood against Jordan.
In his defence before the court, Jordan stated that he had never met Garba or any of his agents, and that his signature was allegedly forged.
Responding in a rejoinder he personally signed and released to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Waru said everything he stated in the interview was “borne out of the hard record of proceedings and processes” in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/008/2026.
The rejoinder, titled “Re-joinder on the Press Statement Signed by Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, FCArb, Lead Counsel to Jordan Nyesom-Wike in Respect of the $2.1 Million Matter,” made the following points:
The signature. Waru said Jordan’s signature on an acknowledgement receipt for $2.1 million, allegedly received from Garba on October 17, 2025, matches the one on his witness statement on oath and the specimen he gave in the witness box, where he was handed a pen and paper and asked to sign five times.
The WhatsApp chats. Despite Jordan’s claim that he never knew or met Garba, Waru said the WhatsApp messages, which Jordan admitted came from his number, confirmed familiarity between both men and showed discussions and an understanding on the giving and taking of the $2.1 million.
Access to records. Waru said the court record is a public document, and that any member of the public may apply for a copy under Section 104(1) of the Evidence Act.
Waru said the interview was granted to counter distorted facts circulating on social media, and insisted that nothing in it was contemptuous, conclusive, undermining or overreaching.
“We insist and maintain that the interview granted was a brief statement of honest and true fact of the matter contrary to what had circulated in the social media. It contains no lie or fabrication whatsoever,” he said.
The lawyer added that a civil case is distinct from a criminal one, and both can be pursued concurrently.
He recalled that on February 13, 2026, the claimants’ legal team appeared at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office to present further documents in support of their petition. Despite their efforts, he said, the commission is yet to respond.
