Alleged $2.1m Land Fraud: Claimants Seek New Judge Over Bias Concerns In Wike’s Son’s Case, Demand EFCC Action

IBRAHIM Wuru, counsel to Safwan Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, has asked the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court to transfer a $2.1 million land deal suit involving Jordan Wike, son of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), citing concerns over the appearance of possible bias.

News Point Nigeria reports that, in a separate development, the claimants’ lawyer has reminded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of a petition alleging fraud against Jordan, saying almost eight months after it was filed, there had been no meaningful update on the investigation.

Wuru made the request for the transfer in a letter dated October 7 and addressed to Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.

The letter seeks the reassignment of the suit, marked 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 the claimants, suggested close geographical, community and family ties between the presiding judge and Jordan.

“In particular, 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 wrote.

He, however, stressed that the application was not intended to question the judge’s integrity or professional competence.

“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge,” Wuru said.

“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.”

The lawyer said transferring the case would help preserve public confidence in the judicial process, citing the principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.

He urged the Chief Judge to exercise his administrative powers to reassign the matter, adding that such a decision would not amount to an adverse finding against Oriji.

Separately, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, counsel to Garba, wrote to the EFCC chairman in a letter dated October 5, reminding the commission of a petition dated December 11, 2025, against Jordan over alleged fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and conversion of $2.1 million.

In the letter, which was received by the commission on October 8, Dantani said his client and a witness had been invited by the EFCC and had fully cooperated with the investigation.

“However, almost eight to nine months have elapsed without any meaningful update or apparent progress on the matter,” he wrote.

The lawyer added that, to the best of his client’s knowledge, Jordan had not been invited or questioned over the allegations, while Garba had not been informed of any reason 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 read.

Dantani asked the EFCC chairman to direct the relevant department to review the petition, establish its current status and take appropriate investigative action.

He also urged the commission to proceed in accordance with the law if its investigation established a prima facie case, or formally inform his client if no criminal wrongdoing was established.

The reminder followed the initial petition in which Garba accused Jordan of collecting $2.1 million in connection with a proposed real estate venture in Abuja.

The civil suit arose from a proposed joint venture to develop houses for sale in Guzape Extension and Katampe New Extension, Abuja.

Garba alleged that the parties agreed Jordan would provide 3.2 hectares of land for the project, while he would contribute $4.2 million towards construction.

The claimant said he paid $2.1 million in cash on October 17, 2025, but the proposed development did not materialise.

Jordan has denied receiving the money and maintained that his signature on the disputed agreement was forged.

During proceedings on September 30, he told the court: “I don’t know him. I didn’t collect or sign any document,” referring to a purported witness to the agreement.

The claimants are seeking an order directing Jordan to refund the $2.1 million, alongside N100 million in damages and other reliefs.

The case remains pending before the FCT High Court, with Oriji having adjourned proceedings to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.