Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, son of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has denied receiving $2.1 million in connection with a disputed Abuja land transaction, telling an FCT High Court that the signature attributed to him on one of the documents was forged.
Jordan, a lawyer, also denied knowing one of the individuals the claimants alleged was present when the money was supposedly handed over.
He made the claims on Wednesday while being cross-examined during his defence in a civil suit filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.
The case, marked CV/008/2026, is before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The claimants are seeking to recover $2.1 million which they allege was paid to Jordan in connection with a proposed property development involving land in Katampe and Guzape.
Jordan has denied receiving the money and maintains that he had no business dealings with the claimants.
He also challenged the authenticity of documents allegedly linking him to the transaction.
What the Claimants Allege
According to the claimants’ case, Jordan introduced a real estate business to Garba in 2025, after which discussions began over a proposed housing development in Abuja.
The parties allegedly agreed to a joint venture under which Jordan would provide land while Garba would provide $4.2 million for development.
The proposed project involved 1.7 hectares in Guzape and 1.5 hectares in Katampe New Extension, with the proceeds from the sale of the completed properties allegedly to be shared on a 60-40 basis.
Under the arrangement, Garba was to receive 60 percent while Jordan would receive 40 percent.
The claimants said Apostle Associate Limited, Kano, prepared the contract, while Jordan provided Creekstone General Contractor Limited as the company that would carry out the development.
Garba subsequently alleged that Jordan requested $2.1 million in relation to two plots and that he paid the money in cash at a residence in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on September 26, 2025.
The claimants said Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani were present during the alleged payment, while Jordan was accompanied by a man identified as Onor Sandy.
They further alleged that an acknowledgement document was completed and signed by Jordan, with his National Identification Number and passport details attached.
Jordan disputes this account.
Jordan Denies Receiving the Money
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Jordan maintained that he did not receive the alleged $2.1 million and challenged the signature on the disputed contract.
Counsel to the claimants, Ibrahim Waru, also questioned him about a transcript of a voice note dated October 17, 2025, which had earlier been admitted in evidence as Exhibit 7.
When asked whether the conversation contained a discussion about money, Jordan replied:
“Yes, that is what appears here.”
He nevertheless maintained that he did not have a physical meeting with Garba on September 26, 2025.
Waru also presented the disputed contract and asked Jordan to identify the signature of the person described as his witness.
Jordan identified the signature as that of Sandy but said he did not know him.
When asked whether he had reported the alleged forgery to the police, Jordan replied, “No.”
He also denied knowing a person identified as Salisu.
Asked about Sandy, Jordan said: “I don’t know him. I didn’t collect or sign any document.”
The parties therefore remain sharply divided over whether the disputed documents are genuine and whether Jordan was involved in the alleged payment.
Claimants Demand Refund, Damages
The claimants allege that after the payment, Jordan became difficult to reach and that they later discovered the land was not owned by him.
Garba said he visited the proposed locations and found another company preparing to develop the plots.
He alleged that he subsequently confronted Jordan and requested a refund, but meetings were repeatedly postponed and communication eventually broke down.
The claimants said they formally demanded their money back on October 31, 2025 but received no satisfactory response.
They are asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1 million, alongside 10 percent interest from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is fully paid.
They are also seeking N100 million in damages, alleging that the dispute caused them “unnecessary trauma and psychological imbalances,” as well as the cost of prosecuting the case.
The claimants further alleged that after their attempts to recover the money failed, Garba approached Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister, to complain about the transaction.
They alleged that the minister rejected the complaint and directed that Garba be handed over to the police.
Jordan and his father have not been found liable by the court over the allegations, which remain part of the ongoing civil proceedings.
Defence Challenges the Claimants’ Account
Jordan, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, adopted his statement on oath denying the claims and documents linking him to the alleged transaction.
His defence has also disputed the account of where he was at the time the alleged payment was said to have occurred.
Earlier in the proceedings, Jordan told the court that he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025 and had travelled using his American passport. The court subsequently ordered him to produce the passport.
The court also directed him to write his full name and signature five times each on a plain sheet of paper after an application by the claimants’ counsel.
The exercise is connected to the dispute over the authenticity of the signature appearing on the documents.
Jordan’s defence has also maintained that the allegations are unfounded and has challenged the evidence being relied upon by the claimants.
The case remains unresolved, with the court yet to determine whether the alleged payment was made, whether the disputed documents are genuine and whether either side is entitled to the reliefs being sought.
The defence subsequently requested time to subpoena witnesses in support of its case.
With no objection from the claimants, Justice Oriji granted the request and adjourned the matter to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
