The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed attempts by Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, to stop his ongoing trial over alleged forgery and impersonation.
The court also restrained Giwa and his associates from making public comments regarding the case.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie while delivering rulings on several pending applications, held that the court had the jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter and that all proceedings so far complied with due process.
Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, were being prosecuted over allegations of forgery and impersonation of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu.
According to the prosecution, forged documents were allegedly used to influence the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation into withdrawing an earlier criminal case filed against Giwa at the FCT High Court in Maitama.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Eristo Asaph and Saleh Nafisa appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Farouk Akanbi represented the first defendant. Ogbu Aboje appeared for the second defendant, and Levi E. Nwonye held a watching brief for the nominal complainant.
In one of the major rulings, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25, which challenged the court’s jurisdiction and sought to terminate the proceedings, affirming that the matter was properly filed before the court.
Justice Onwuegbuzie also dismissed Motion M/12210/25, which sought to strike out the charge on the grounds that insufficient material evidence had been disclosed. The court held that service on the first defendant was valid and adequate.
Another application, Motion M/14379/25, requesting the judge’s recusal and transfer of the matter to the FCT Chief Judge over alleged bias, was equally rejected.
“I have gone through the application and there is no iota of truth in it,” the judge ruled. “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 further refused an application seeking the temporary release of the first defendant’s international passport for medical treatment abroad, citing inadequate documentary evidence to support the request.
However, Justice Onwuegbuzie granted an application restraining Giwa, his agents, and associates from making further public statements about the case through the media, including social media platforms, newspapers, and television broadcasts.
On the prosecution’s request for the revocation of the first defendant’s bail, the court declined the application, ruling that bail could only be withdrawn where there was clear proof of misconduct.
Relying on the case of Ameh Obute & 5 Others v. State, the judge noted that while the defendant’s conduct appeared unprofessional, it had not met the legal threshold required for revocation of his bail.
“If the misconduct continues, we will look into it,” the judge warned.
The court also dismissed an application by the prosecution seeking leave to amend the charge, holding that the proposed amendment introduced a separate offence that should be filed independently.
The matter was, thereafter, adjourned to May 18, May 25, June 3, June 4, and June 10, 2026, for continuation of trial.
