Trial judge Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Monday, exposed an attempt by a lawyer facing a forgery charge before him to meet privately in chambers, according to PremiumTimesng report.
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During Monday’s proceedings, Mr. Onwuegbuzie openly questioned the lawyer, Victor Giwa, about the motive behind the requested private meeting.
“Is it a practice for a defendant to go and see a judge in his chambers when your case is before him?” Mr. Onwuegbuzie asked.
Mr. Giwa replied, “No,” after which the judge expressed shock over his conduct.
“It is shocking to hear that a defendant who has a matter before a judge has the tenacity to see a judge in his chambers,” Mr. Onwuegbuzie said, warning that “this court will not tolerate that.”
Mr. Giwa and another lawyer, Ibitade Bukola, are facing three counts, including forgery, before the judge.
The police accused the defendants of forging a letter on the purported letterhead of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Awa Kalu. According to the indictment, Mr. Giwa allegedly forged the letter purportedly appealing to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to stop his arraignment before Judge Samira Bature for an earlier case on 2 July 2024.
The forged letter was allegedly titled, “Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023.”
The indictment also accused both defendants of illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threats to life, and damage to property worth N300 million.
The police arraigned them jointly in October 2025, when they both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution lawyer, T.Y. Silas, said Mr. Giwa approached him regarding the proposed meeting with the judge. However, he declined the proposal because Mr. Giwa allegedly refused to disclose the purpose of the meeting.
Mr. Silas described the defendant’s behaviour as unethical and inappropriate.
Mr. Giwa, however, defended his action, saying both the prosecution and Ms. Bukola’s lawyer had agreed to see the judge in the presence of the court registrar. He added that 10 minutes later, Mr. Silas asked the reason for the meeting, and his refusal prompted Mr. Silas to change his mind.
The defendant claimed his actions were guided by the rules of professional conduct, noting that one could “approach the court in chambers by seeking a private audience with the judge” if the matter is considered private.
The judge, however, rejected Mr. Giwa’s defence.
Later on Monday, Mr. Giwa sought an adjournment due to the absence of his lawyer, Ibrahim Idris, SAN, who was said to be recuperating from prostate surgery.
The prosecution lawyer, Mr. Silas, objected to the adjournment, citing several previous instances of adjournments at Mr. Giwa’s instance. Mr. Silas also noted that Monday’s hearing was scheduled at Mr. Giwa’s request.
The trial has stalled on different occasions due to the absence of the defendants or their lawyers. In May 2025, Mr. Giwa cited the death of his sister as the reason for his absence. In October 2025, one of the lawyers, Ogbu Aboje, informed the court that he was absent for medical reasons. Ms. Bukola was absent at one point due to her daughter’s immunisation appointment.
As a result, the court issued a bench warrant for the defendants’ arrest to compel them to appear for arraignment.
In a separate criminal case before the High Court in Maitama, Judge Samira Bature also warned Mr. Giwa and others after he failed to appear in court for the sixth time.
Citing Mr. Giwa’s track record, Mr. Silas, relying on Section 396(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, told the court that parties are limited in the number of adjournments they can seek after arraignment. He added that Mr. Giwa’s lawyer, being a SAN, ought to have junior lawyers available to represent him.
Mr. Silas then urged the court to award costs against Mr. Giwa for wasting judicial time.
Mr. Giwa insisted he had not benefited from the adjournments and had a right to a lawyer of his choice, calling Mr. Silas’ request mischievous. Ms. Bukola’s lawyer, Ogbu Aboje, also urged the court to grant an adjournment.
The trial judge agreed with Mr. Silas that Mr. Giwa’s lawyer, as a SAN, ought to have another lawyer to represent him in court. While characterising Mr. Giwa’s excuse as unsatisfactory, the judge stated that the court would make every concession to ensure a fair and procedural outcome.
“It is pertinent to note the rigmarole that is going on here. We have no reason to adjourn this matter, but the court decided to accommodate the first defendant. The first defendant came with a SAN and 13 advocates to represent him before, but today they are nowhere to be found. We want to fulfil all righteousness. This case is hereby adjourned to 21 January,” the judge said.
Monday’s proceedings came less than a week after another judge overseeing the N8.7 billion money laundering trial of former AGF Abubakar Malami warned that no one connected with the case should attempt to approach him. Judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued the warning while delivering his ruling on the bail application filed by Malami and his co-defendants — one of his wives, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami.
“Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned,” the judge cautioned.
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