Counsel to Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Ibrahim Waru, has asked the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, to transfer an alleged $2.1m land deal suit involving Jordan Wike, son of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over concerns about the trial judge’s alleged family and community ties with the defendant.
Waru, in a letter dated October 7, sought the transfer of the suit, marked CV/008/2026, from Court 2 of the FCT High Court, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, to another court, citing what he described as a reasonable apprehension of bias.
An acknowledged copy of the letter, received by the Chief Judge’s chambers on October 8, was made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja.
Titled “Request for Transfer of Suit CV/008/26 between Safwan Garba GY & Another Vs Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom Wike from Court 2 on Ground of Reasonable Apprehension of Bias,” the letter said the application was intended to prevent circumstances that could raise concerns about the appearance of impartiality.
Waru wrote, “We respectfully write on behalf of our clients, the claimants, to request the transfer of the above-mentioned suit from Court 2 to another court within the FCT High Court.”
Explaining the basis for the request, he said the claimants’ concerns arose from social media publications which, in their view, suggested a close geographical, community and family affinity between the 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 stated.
Waru, however, stressed that the request was not intended to impugn the judge’s integrity, impartiality or professional competence.
“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge.
“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,” he added.
Citing the principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, the lawyer said the transfer would help preserve public confidence in the judicial process.
He urged the Chief Judge to exercise his administrative powers to reassign the case, arguing that such a decision would not constitute an adverse finding against Justice Oriji.
The letter read, “Our clients are particularly concerned that, irrespective of the actual state of mind of the Honourable presiding Judge, the existing circumstance may create an impression in the mind of a reasonable observer that His Lordship’s relationship and/or common community background with the defendant could potentially influence or be perceived as capable of influencing the adjudication of the matter.”
Waru added that transferring the case would enable the parties to approach the proceedings with confidence in the impartiality of the adjudication process.
