Two senior lawyers have exchanged accusations over an ongoing case involving an alleged $2.1 million Abuja land transaction linked to Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
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Jordan’s counsel, Dr Ogwu Onoja, SAN, accused Ibrahim Waru, lawyer to the claimants, of misrepresenting the facts of the case and making statements intended to damage his client’s reputation.
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Onoja maintained that Jordan had denied any involvement in the alleged land deal and had neither conducted any transaction with the claimants nor admitted receiving the money.
In a statement made available to journalists, the senior lawyer accused Waru of spreading what he described as false and malicious claims through the media to influence public opinion and intimidate the presiding judge.
He said Jordan had testified before the court on September 28 and 30, 2026, maintaining that he had never met Safwan Garba GY or any of his agents.
Onoja questioned why Waru had granted interviews weeks after the court proceedings, alleging that the comments had fuelled defamatory claims and unsubstantiated conclusions on social media.
However, Waru rejected the allegations in a response issued on Wednesday, insisting that his clients possessed an acknowledgement receipt bearing Jordan’s signature for the alleged $2.1 million payment.
In a statement titled Rejoinder on the Press Statement Signed by Dr Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, FCArb, Lead Counsel to Jordan Nyesom-Wike in Respect of the $2.1 Million Matter, Waru stood by his account of the proceedings and the documents supporting his clients’ claims.
He said the information contained in his interview was based on court records and documents filed in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/008/2026.
According to Waru, the acknowledgement receipt indicated that Jordan received $2.1 million from Safwan Garba GY on October 17, 2025.
He further claimed that the signature on the receipt matched the one on Jordan’s witness statement on oath and a specimen signature obtained from him in court. Waru said Jordan had been asked to sign a piece of paper five times while in the witness box.
The lawyer added that the documents could be accessed by members of the public in accordance with Section 104(1) of the Evidence Act.
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Waru explained that his interview was intended to clarify what he described as the true circumstances of the case amid what he considered misleading accounts circulating on social media. He denied that his comments were contemptuous or intended to undermine the court.
He also disputed Jordan’s claim that he had never met Safwan, alleging that WhatsApp conversations involving a number Jordan acknowledged as his showed familiarity between the two men and discussions concerning the disputed $2.1 million.
Waru further argued that civil proceedings could continue alongside a criminal investigation into the same allegations.
He disclosed that counsel to Safwan had visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 13 and submitted additional documents in support of their petition against Jordan. However, he expressed dissatisfaction that the anti-graft agency had yet to act on the petition.
Waru maintained that his interview accurately reflected the facts as he understood them from the case records and denied fabricating any information.
Meanwhile, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of an Abuja High Court had fixed December 1 for the continuation of the hearing after admitting Jordan’s international passport into evidence.
During cross-examination, Jordan reportedly told the court that he was outside Nigeria on the date the claimants alleged they handed money to him to facilitate the allocation of land.
The claimants alleged that they approached Jordan for assistance in acquiring land in Abuja, claiming he agreed to help them secure 30 hectares in Katampe and another 30 hectares in Guzape.
According to their account, their initial meeting with Jordan took place in London, where they established a relationship with him. They alleged that a subsequent meeting was held in Abuja about three months later to discuss the proposed land acquisition.
The claimants further alleged that Jordan demanded $2.1 million in facilitation fees, comprising $2 million purportedly intended for his father and $100,000 as his personal fee.
They claimed the money was delivered on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy.
The claimants alleged that after receiving the money, Jordan failed to facilitate the acquisition of the land or refund the funds and later became unreachable.
Jordan has denied the allegations, insisting that he had no such dealings with the claimants. The claims remain disputed as the case awaits further hearing.
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