The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo, on Wednesday rejected attempts by Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa to halt his ongoing trial for forgery and impersonation.
The court also restrained Giwa and his associates from making public comments about the case.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, while ruling on several pending motions, dismissed a series of applications filed by the defence, holding that the court has jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter and that due process had been followed throughout the proceedings.
Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are standing trial over allegations of forgery and impersonation involving Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu.
Prosecutors alleged that forged documents were used to mislead the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) into withdrawing a criminal case earlier instituted against Giwa at the FCT High Court in Maitama.
At the resumed hearing, Eristo Asaph and Saleh Nafisa appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Farouk Akambi 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 key rulings, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25, which sought to terminate the case on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction, affirming that the court was competent to entertain the matter.
Another application, Motion M/12210/25, which sought to strike out the charge for allegedly failing to disclose sufficient material evidence, was also dismissed. The court held that service on the first defendant was proper and adequate.
Justice Onwuegbuzie further rejected Motion M/14379/25, which requested his recusal and the transfer of the case to the FCT Chief Judge over allegations of bias.
“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 also dismissed an application seeking the temporary release of the first defendant’s international passport for medical travel abroad, citing insufficient documentary evidence in support of the request.
However, the judge granted an application restraining Giwa, his agents, or associates from making further statements about the case in the media, including on social media platforms, newspapers, and television broadcasts.
On the prosecution’s application seeking the revocation of the first defendant’s bail, the court declined the request, holding that bail could only be withdrawn upon clear evidence of misconduct.
Citing the case of Ameh Obute & 5 Others v. State, Justice Onwuegbuzie observed that although the defendant’s conduct appeared unprofessional, it had not reached the threshold required for the revocation of bail.
“If the misconduct continues, we will look into it,” the judge warned.
The court also refused an application by the prosecution seeking leave to amend the charge, ruling that the proposed amendment introduced a separate offence that ought to be filed independently.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 18, May 25, June 3, June 4, and June 10, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
