Lawyers representing businessman Safwan Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited have asked the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court to transfer a $2.1 million land dispute involving Jordan Wike, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, from the judge presently handling the case, citing concerns over the appearance of possible bias.
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In a separate move, counsel to Garba has also written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking an update on a petition accusing Jordan Wike of fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and conversion of $2.1 million.
The allegations remain disputed, with Jordan denying that he collected the money and maintaining that his signature on the agreement relied upon by the claimants was forged.
Ibrahim Wuru, counsel to Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, made the request for transfer in a letter dated October 7, 2026, and addressed to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf.
The lawyer asked that Suit No. CV/008/2026 be reassigned from Court 2, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, to another judge of the FCT High Court.
According to Wuru, the application followed publications on social media which raised questions in the minds of his clients about alleged geographical, community and family links between the presiding judge and Jordan.
“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 lawyer stated.
Wuru, however, made it clear that his clients were not accusing Justice Oriji of actual bias or questioning his integrity and professional competence.
“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge,” he said.
According to him, the concern was instead about preserving the appearance of impartiality and preventing circumstances that could create a reasonable apprehension that the case might not be determined with complete neutrality.
“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 stated.
The lawyer urged the Chief Judge to exercise his administrative powers to transfer the case, arguing that doing so would protect public confidence in the administration of justice and uphold the principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
He stressed that reassignment of the case should not be interpreted as an adverse finding against Justice Oriji.
While seeking the transfer of the civil action, another lawyer for Garba, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, also wrote to the EFCC Chairman over a petition earlier submitted against Jordan.
The reminder, dated October 5 and received by the commission on October 8, referred to an earlier petition dated December 11, 2025, alleging fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and conversion of $2.1 million.
Dantani stated that Garba and a witness had honoured invitations from the anti-graft agency and cooperated with investigators but complained that almost eight to nine months had passed without what his client considered meaningful progress or an update on the investigation.
“However, almost eight to nine months have elapsed without any meaningful update or apparent progress on the matter,” he wrote.
The lawyer further stated that, to the best of his client’s knowledge, Jordan had not been invited or questioned over the allegations and that Garba had not been informed of the reason for the delay.
He stressed that his client was not asking the commission to reach a predetermined conclusion but wanted the allegations investigated fairly and expeditiously.
“Our Client does not seek preferential treatment or a predetermined outcome. He merely seeks a fair, impartial, transparent and expeditious investigation and equal treatment under the law,” the letter stated.
Dantani asked the EFCC Chairman to direct the appropriate department of the commission to review the petition, establish the current status of the investigation and take whatever steps were warranted by the evidence.
He also asked the commission to proceed in accordance with the law if investigators established a prima facie case, or formally communicate to Garba if the investigation found no basis for criminal proceedings.
The dispute arose from a proposed real estate joint venture involving housing developments in Guzape Extension and Katampe New Extension in Abuja.
Garba’s case is that the parties agreed that Jordan would provide 3.2 hectares of land for the proposed project while Garba would contribute $4.2 million towards construction.
The claimant alleges that he paid $2.1 million in cash on October 17, 2025, as part of the arrangement but that the proposed development did not materialise.
Jordan has denied the allegation. During proceedings on September 30, 2026, he rejected the claim that he received the money and disputed the authenticity of the agreement relied upon by Garba.
Referring to a person presented as a witness to the disputed agreement, Jordan told the court: “I don’t know him. I didn’t collect or sign any document.”
He has maintained that his signature on the agreement was forged.
Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited are asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1 million, in addition to ₦100 million in damages and other reliefs.
The case remains pending before the FCT High Court, with Justice Oriji having adjourned proceedings to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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