A video clip tendered as evidence by the Nigeria Police before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court disclosed how a complainant allegedly attempted to bribe a judge with $10,000.
A lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, was seen in the video clip addressing journalists and explaining to them how Asabe Waziri, the nominal complainant in his trial before the court, allegedly attempted to compromise a judge.
According to him, the judge said in open court that he will have to return the case file to the Chief Judge because there were attempts to compromise him in the matter.
The police had filed a contempt charge against Giwa. A flash drive containing the video clip was attached to an affidavit in support of the motion seeking to hold Giwa for contempt.
In the clip played in an open court, Victor Giwa was seen explaining how the complainant allegedly attempted to influence the judge to issue bench warrant against his client, Cecil Osakwe, and arraign him.
Giwa, in the video clip, also stated how Waziri sponsored five charges against him and his client.
In the video, Giwa stated, “Asabe has sponsored three charges against my client and two charges against me. The judge said he is a Muslim and has vowed never to receive any form of graft and compromise his oath of office.”
The human right lawyer said the FCT judiciary still has courageous judges who will not pander to corrupt practices.
The 15 minutes video clip ends with Giwa’s commendation of some FCT judges who he said were incorruptible.
After the video clip was played, the trial judge, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, adjourned the case for ruling on Victor Giwa ‘s motions challenging the court’s jurisdiction for lack of personal services of the charge on him and the prosecution’s motion.
The judge had earlier ruled against the objection raised by Giwa”s counsel, Farouk Akanbi, from the Law firm of Ahmed Raj, SAN, objecting to the playing of the video clip, citing non-compliance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
Justice Onwuegbuzie subsequently adjourned the case till February 17, 2026, for the argument of other pending motions.
The police is prosecuting Giwa and his co-accused, Bukola Ibitade, for allegedly forging the letterhead paper of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu.
But Awa Kalu, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode. Egebtokun, denied the forgery of his letterhead paper, adding that he never made such a complaint.
Despite the letter in which Awa Kalu distanced himself from the allegation of forgery and impersonation against Giwa and his co-accused, Bukola Ibitade, the police went ahead to press charges.
Kalu, in the letter dated May 30, 2025, and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, clarified that he neither filed a complaint nor reported Giwa for allegedly forging his firm’s letterhead.
