The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Apo has dismissed attempts by Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, to stop his ongoing trial over alleged forgery and impersonation.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, who delivered rulings on several pending applications on Wednesday, also restrained Giwa, his associates and agents from making public comments about the case in the media or on social media platforms.
Victor Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are being prosecuted over allegations involving forged documents and impersonation linked to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu.
According to prosecutors, the defendants allegedly used forged documents to mislead the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation into withdrawing an earlier criminal case against Giwa before an FCT High Court in Maitama.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, 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, while Levi E. Nwonye held a watching brief for the nominal complainant.
In one of the major rulings, the court dismissed Motion M/7/57/25, in which the defence challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the court was properly constituted and competent to continue with the trial.
The judge also dismissed Motion M/12210/25, which sought to strike out the charge because sufficient material evidence had not been disclosed.
The court ruled that service of court processes on the first defendant was proper and adequate.
Another application seeking the judge’s recusal and transfer of the matter to the FCT Chief Judge over alleged bias was also rejected.
“I have gone through the application, and there is not an iota of truth in it,” Justice Onwuegbuzie said.
“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 further rejected an application seeking temporary release of Giwa’s international passport for medical treatment abroad, citing inadequate documentary evidence to justify the request.
However, the judge granted an application restraining the defendants and their associates from making further public statements on the matter through newspapers, television broadcasts or social media.
On the prosecution’s request for revocation of Giwa’s bail, the court declined the application, ruling that bail could only be withdrawn where there was clear evidence of misconduct.
Citing the case of Ameh Obute & Five Others v. State, Justice Onwuegbuzie noted that although the conduct of the first defendant appeared unprofessional, it did not meet the legal threshold required for 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, holding that the proposed amendment introduced a separate offence which should be filed independently.
The matter was adjourned to May 18 and 25 and June 3, 4 and 10, 2026, for continuation of the trial.