Victor Giwa’s lawyer steps down as court reviews passport and medical aid requests

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo, Abuja, has scheduled a hearing for June 22, 2026 to decide on applications filed by Abuja‑based lawyer Victor Giwa. Among the matters to be considered is Giwa’s request for the release of his international passport on medical grounds.

The court’s agenda came after Giwa’s counsel, Mr Farooq Akanbi, withdrew from the case during proceedings before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on Wednesday. Akanbi apologized for leaving the courtroom before the judge’s arrival at a prior sitting, an action that had caused an adjournment. He explained that his departure was not intended as disrespect and announced that he would no longer represent the first defendant, thereby allowing Giwa to conduct his own defence.

The case had been stalled on June 3 after concerns arose regarding the defendant’s legal representation following the absence of his counsel.

During the resumed hearing, Giwa informed the court of a motion dated May 28, 2026, seeking reliefs related to his health condition and requesting the release of his international passport to facilitate medical treatment abroad.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr Wisdom Madaki, challenged the authenticity of the medical documents attached to the application. He reported that after receiving the motion, the prosecution contacted General Hospital, Nyanya, to verify the medical report submitted by the defendant. Madaki alleged that the hospital denied issuing the document and that the doctor named on the report was not employed by the facility.

“The hospital also indicated that the medical report presented by the defendant was not issued by the institution,” the prosecutor said.

Madaki further informed the court that Giwa had later filed an affidavit containing another medical report purportedly from the same hospital, prompting a fresh request for verification. He sought a short adjournment to allow the prosecution to complete its verification process or, alternatively, to proceed with the substantive matter.

Giwa opposed the request, arguing that the filing of a further and better affidavit prevented the prosecution from raising fresh objections. He maintained that subjecting his application to an investigation was unconstitutional and that any concerns regarding the authenticity of the documents should be addressed through a separate inquiry.

The defendant also urged the court to consider his standing as a legal practitioner and grant his request for the release of his travel documents to enable him to seek medical attention.

In a brief ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the application was ripe for hearing and proceeded to entertain arguments from both parties. Giwa urged the court to discountenance the prosecution’s counter‑affidavit, arguing that it relied on information from an interested party, while Madaki asked the court to dismiss the application.

The defendant also moved a separate application dated May 14, which was not opposed by the prosecution.

After hearing submissions from both sides, Justice Onwuegbuzie reserved his ruling on the applications until June 22, 2026.

Giwa and his co‑defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are standing trial over allegations of forging official documents and impersonating Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.