Counsel to Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Ibrahim Waru, has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, to reassign a $2.1m land dispute involving Jordan Wike, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to another judge over concerns about possible perceived bias.
In a letter dated October 7, Waru requested that suit number CV/008/2026 be moved from Court 2 of the FCT High Court, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, to another court, citing alleged family and community connections between the judge and the defendant.
An acknowledged copy of the request, received by the Chief Judge’s chambers on October 8, was made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja.
The letter, 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,” stated that the application was intended to prevent circumstances that could cast doubt on the appearance of judicial impartiality.
Waru wrote, “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.”
The lawyer said the claimants’ concerns followed social media publications which they believed pointed to close geographical, community and family ties between Justice Oriji 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.
However, Waru clarified that the request was not an accusation of misconduct or a challenge to the judge’s professional integrity and competence.
“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge.
“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 added.
Invoking the legal principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, the counsel argued that transferring the case would protect public confidence in the judicial process.
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He urged the Chief Judge to use his administrative authority to reassign the matter, stressing that doing so would not amount to an adverse judgment against Justice Oriji.
The letter read, “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.”
Waru maintained that the reassignment would allow all parties to participate in the proceedings with confidence in the fairness of the process.
The application comes as the substantive suit over an alleged $2.1m real estate transaction involving land in Katampe and Guzape, Abuja, continues before the FCT High Court.
The claimants are seeking to recover the money they allegedly paid Jordan in connection with the proposed property venture.
Journalists had earlier reported that Jordan denied receiving the funds during cross-examination on September 30, insisting that his signature on a document linking him to the transaction had been forged.
He also denied knowing one of the men whom the claimants alleged accompanied him during the purported cash payment.
Asked whether he had reported the alleged forgery to the police, Jordan answered in the negative.
The claimants are asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1m, with 10 per cent interest accruing from the date of judgment until full payment. They are also demanding N100m in damages and reimbursement of the cost of prosecuting the case.
Jordan has denied the allegations, which remain before the court for determination.
Justice Oriji adjourned the matter until December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of the trial.