Court bars parties from public comment in high-profile forgery trial

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday restrained parties in the ongoing forgery and impersonation trial involving Victor Giwa, Abuja-based lawyer and another defendant from making public statements on the case.

The court also affirmed its jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter, dismissing multiple applications filed by the defendants challenging its competence and the validity of the proceedings.

Delivering a ruling on several pending motions, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie held that due process had been duly followed and that the court remained properly seized of the case.

Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are standing trial over allegations of forgery and impersonation linked to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu.

The prosecution alleged that falsified documents were used to mislead the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) into withdrawing a criminal case earlier instituted against Giwa before the FCT High Court, Maitama.

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At the resumed hearing, prosecution counsel Eristo Asaph appeared for the Inspector-General of Police, while Farouk Akanbi represented the first defendant and Ogbu Aboje appeared for the second defendant.

In one of the key rulings, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25 seeking to terminate the case for want of jurisdiction, holding that the court was competent to adjudicate the matter.

A separate application, Motion M/12210/25, seeking to strike out the charge for alleged failure to disclose sufficient material facts, was also dismissed.

The court further held that service on the first defendant was proper and adequate.

Justice Onwuegbuzie also rejected Motion M/14379/25 seeking his recusal and transfer of the case to the FCT Chief Judge over alleged bias, describing the allegations as unfounded.

“I have gone through the application and there is no iota of truth in it. 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 judge ruled.

The court declined an application seeking temporary release of the first defendant’s international passport for medical travel abroad, citing insufficient documentary evidence.

However, it granted the prosecution’s request restraining Giwa, his agents and associates from further media commentary on the case, including traditional and social media platforms.

On the prosecution’s bid to revoke bail, the court refused the application, holding that bail could only be withdrawn upon clear evidence of misconduct. It noted, however, that while the defendant’s conduct appeared unprofessional, it had not met the threshold for revocation.

“If the misconduct continues, we will look into it,” Justice Onwuegbuzie warned.

The court also dismissed a prosecution application seeking leave to amend the charge, holding that the proposed amendment introduced a separate offence that should be filed independently.

The matter was adjourned to May 18 for continuation of trial.