Mr Ibrahim Waru, counsel to Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, has sought the transfer of alleged $2.1 million land fruad suit filed against Jordan Wike, the son of the FCT minister, over allegation of family ties with the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
Waru, in a letter addressed to the Chief Judge, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, said the application became necessary to avoid concern that may give rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias in the mind of a fair-minded and informed observer.
An acknowledged copy of the letter, dated October 7, was received by the CJ’s chambers on October 8 and a copy made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
It 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.”
The letter reads in part, “We are the legal practitioners to the claimants in the above-mentioned suit presently pending before Court 2 of the FCT High Court presided over by His Lordship, Honourable Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji.
“We respectfully write on behalf of our clients, the claimants to request the transfer of the above-mentioned suit from Court 2 to another court within the FCT High Court.”
According to Waru, our clients’ concern arises from some social media publications, in our respectful view, may give rise to a reasonable apprehension of bias in the mind of a fair-minded and informed observer.
“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.
“Attached is a copy of one of the social media publications and marked as Annexure 1,” he said.
The lawyer said the request was not intended to impugn the integrity, impartiality or professional competence of Justice Oriji.
“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge.
“Rqther, 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.”
Waru said it is a fundamental principle of the administration of justice that justice must not only be done but manifestly and undoubtedly seen to have been done.
He said the confidence of litigants and the public in the judicial process is best preserved where circumstances that may reasonably give rise to apprehension of bias are avoided.
“Our clients are particularly concerned that, irrespective of the actual state of mind of the Honourable presiding Judge, the existing circumstance may create an impression in the mind of a reasonable observer that His Lordship’s relationship and/or common community background with the defendant could potentially influence or be perceived as capable of influencing the adjudication of the matter.
“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 No. CV/008/26 from Court 2 and assign same to another court of FCT High Court.
“We respectfully submit that the required transfer will not amount to any adverse finding against the Honourable presiding Judge, rather, it will serve to eliminate any reasonable apprehension of bias and ensure that all parties approach the proceedings with complete confidence in the impartiality of adjudication process.
“We shall be most grateful for Your Lordship kind and favourable consideration of this request,” the lawyer concluded.
It would be recalled that the claimants, in the suit, alleged that they met Jordan in London and they developed a rapport.
After about three months, they also met in Abuja and the claimants approached Jordan for assistance to facilitate the acquisition of land in Abuja.
They claimed that Jordan agreed to facilitate the acquisition of land.
Jordan, according to the claimants, assured of acquiring for them 30 hectares of land at Katampe and 30 hectares at Guzape.
They claimed further that Jordan told them that fee from the facilitation is at 2.1 million US dollars, adding that 2 million U.S dollars is for his father while 100, 000 U.S dollars is his.
The claimants alleged further that the cash was delivered on Sept. 26, 2025 in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani while Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy.
They claimed that after receiving the money, Jordan neither deliver the land nor give back the money instead went into incommunicado.
However, Jordan, who adopted his statement on oath, denied all the claims of the claimants.
While being cross examined by the claimants’ lawyer, the defendant (Jordan) denied any knowledge of the claimants’ allegations.
Jordan, also a lawyer, told the court that his signature on the document presented to the court was forged.
According to him, he has no link whatsoever with the claimants in the case.
Justice Oriji had adjourned the case to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026 for continuation of trial.
