A $2.1 million property dispute involving Jordan Wike, son of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has taken another turn, with a lawyer asking for the case to be moved to a different court over concerns about the appearance of impartiality.
In a separate move, the lawyer representing the claimant has also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide an update on a fraud petition against Jordan, alleging that several months have passed without meaningful progress being communicated to his client.
Ibrahim Wuru, counsel to Safwan Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, made the request for the court transfer in a letter dated October 7 to Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.
The application concerns suit number CV/008/2026, currently before Court 2, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji. Wuru wants the matter reassigned to another court within the FCT High Court.
According to the lawyer, the request followed social media publications that allegedly raised questions about possible geographical, community and family connections 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,” Wuru wrote.
However, the lawyer stressed that the request was not an accusation of misconduct against the judge and did not question his professional ability.
“Our clients do not equally allege actual bias against His Lordship, the presiding Judge,” he stated.
He explained that the application was intended to prevent circumstances that could create doubts about whether the case would be handled with complete impartiality.
Wuru also argued that transferring the case would help protect public confidence in the justice system, emphasising the principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
He asked the chief judge to use his administrative authority to reassign the matter, noting that such a decision would not constitute a negative finding against Justice Oriji.
Lawyer Asks EFCC to Explain Delay in Fraud Investigation
In a related development, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, another lawyer representing Garba, has written to the EFCC chairman seeking an update on a petition against Jordan over the alleged $2.1 million transaction.
The letter, dated October 5 and received by the commission on October 8, referred to a petition submitted on December 11, 2025. The allegations include fraud, obtaining money by false pretence, criminal misappropriation and conversion of the funds.
Dantani said his client and a witness had been invited by the EFCC and had cooperated fully 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 further claimed that, to the best of his client’s knowledge, Jordan had not been invited or questioned over the allegations. He also said his client had not received an explanation 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 stated.
Dantani asked the EFCC chairman to direct the appropriate department to review the petition, establish the current status of the investigation and take any necessary steps.
He also urged the commission to proceed according to the law if its findings established a prima facie case. Alternatively, he asked that his client be formally informed if the investigation found no criminal wrongdoing.
How the $2.1 Million Dispute Began
The legal dispute stems from a proposed real estate partnership involving the development of houses for sale in Guzape Extension and Katampe New Extension in Abuja.
Garba alleged that the agreement required Jordan to provide 3.2 hectares of land for the project, while he would contribute $4.2 million towards construction.
According to the claimant, he paid $2.1 million in cash on October 17, 2025, but the proposed development did not proceed.
Jordan has denied receiving the money and maintains that his signature on the disputed agreement was forged.
During court proceedings on September 30, he denied knowing the claimant and rejected the allegation that he had signed the document.
“I don’t know him. I didn’t collect or sign any document,” Jordan told the court while referring to a purported witness to the agreement.
Garba and the other claimant are asking the court to order a refund of the $2.1 million, alongside ₦100 million in damages and other reliefs.
The case remains before the FCT High Court. Justice Oriji adjourned proceedings until December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
The allegations remain contested, with Jordan denying receiving the money and disputing the authenticity of the agreement. The court case and the EFCC petition are separate processes, and the dispute remains unresolved.
