Counsel to Safwan Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited has asked the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court to reassign a $2.1 million property dispute involving Jordan Wike, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, citing concerns over the appearance of judicial impartiality.
The legal team has also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide an update on a petition alleging fraud against Jordan, expressing concern over what it described as a prolonged delay in the investigation.
In a letter dated October 7, Ibrahim Wuru, counsel to the claimants, appealed to the Chief Judge, Husseini Baba-Yusuf, to transfer suit CV/008/2026 from Court 2, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, to another court within the FCT High Court.
Wuru said the request followed social media publications which, according to his clients, raised concerns about possible geographical, community and family connections between the judge and Jordan.
“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.
He clarified that the application was not intended to impugn the judge’s integrity or competence, insisting that his clients were not alleging actual bias.
“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 said.
According to Wuru, transferring the case would help protect public confidence in the judicial process and ensure that the proceedings were conducted in circumstances that inspire confidence in the fairness of the outcome.
He urged the chief judge to exercise his administrative powers to reassign the matter, noting that such a decision would not constitute an adverse finding against Justice Oriji.
EFCC urged to review petition
Separately, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, another lawyer representing Garba, has asked the EFCC chairman to intervene in a petition submitted to the commission on December 11, 2025.
In a letter dated October 5 and received by the commission on October 8, Dantani said the petition accused Jordan of fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and conversion of $2.1 million.
The lawyer said Garba and a witness had responded to the commission’s invitations and cooperated with investigators but had yet to receive a meaningful update on the case.
“However, almost eight to nine months have elapsed without any meaningful update or apparent progress on the matter,” Dantani wrote.
He further stated that, to the best of his client’s knowledge, Jordan had not been invited or questioned over the allegations, while no explanation had been provided for the delay.
“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 to review the complaint, establish the current status of the investigation and take necessary steps in accordance with the law.
He also urged the commission to pursue the matter if the investigation established a prima facie case or formally inform his client if no criminal wrongdoing was established.
The petition relates to an alleged financial transaction involving a proposed property development project in Abuja.
How the dispute began
The civil case arose from a proposed joint venture to develop residential properties for sale in Guzape Extension and Katampe New Extension, Abuja.
Garba alleged that the parties agreed that Jordan would provide 3.2 hectares of land for the development, while he would contribute $4.2 million towards construction.
According to the claimant, he paid $2.1 million in cash on October 17, 2025, but the proposed project did not proceed.
Jordan has denied receiving the money and alleged that his signature on the disputed agreement was forged.
During proceedings on September 30, he denied knowing Garba and disowned the document said to have formed the basis of the transaction.
“I don’t know him. I didn’t collect or sign any document,” he told the court, referring to a purported witness to the agreement.
Garba is asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1 million and pay N100 million in damages, alongside other reliefs.
The suit is still pending before the FCT High Court. Justice Oriji adjourned the matter to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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