FCT High Court denies Victor Giwa’s request to halt forgery trial

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo, rejected lawyer Victor Giwa’s attempts to halt his ongoing trial for alleged forgery and impersonation.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who issued several rulings on Wednesday, also ordered Giwa, his associates and agents to refrain from making public statements about the case in the media or on social media platforms.

Giwa and co‑defendant Ibitade Bukola face charges of forging documents and impersonating Senior Advocate of Nigeria Awa Kalu. Prosecutors allege that the defendants used forged documents to convince the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to drop an earlier criminal case against Giwa that had been pending before an FCT High Court in Maitama.

During the Wednesday hearing, Eristo Asaph and Saleh Nafisa represented the Inspector‑General of Police, while Farouk Akambi defended the first defendant. Ogbu Aboje represented the second defendant, and Levi E. Nwonye held a watching brief for the nominal complainant.

In a key ruling, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case. Justice Onwuegbuzie confirmed that the court was properly constituted and competent to proceed with the trial.

The judge also rejected Motion M/12210/25, which sought to strike out the charge on the basis that insufficient material evidence had been disclosed. The court held that service of court processes on the first defendant was proper and adequate.

An application for the judge’s recusal and transfer of the matter to the FCT Chief Judge on grounds of alleged bias was likewise dismissed. “I have gone through the application, and there is not an iota of truth in it,” Justice Onwuegbuzie said. “He who asserts must prove. All steps taken so far follow due process. The court is not biased; we stand for justice at all times.”

The court also rejected an application to temporarily release Giwa’s international passport for medical treatment abroad, citing inadequate documentary evidence to support the request.

However, the judge granted an application that restrains the defendants and their associates from making further public statements about the matter through newspapers, television broadcasts or social media.

When the prosecution sought to revoke Giwa’s bail, the court declined, stating that bail could only be withdrawn where there is clear evidence of misconduct. Citing Ameh Obute & Five Others v. State, Justice Onwuegbuzie noted that although the first defendant’s conduct appeared unprofessional, it did not meet the legal threshold for bail revocation. “If the misconduct continues, we will look into it,” the judge warned.

The court also refused a prosecution application to amend the charge, holding that the proposed amendment would introduce a separate offence that should be filed independently.

The trial has been adjourned to May 18 and 25, and June 3, 4 and 10, 2026 for further proceedings.