A civil society organisation, Public Accountability League, PAL, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere- Ekun, demanding the setting up of an independent panel to probe alleged persecution of a human rights lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, by judicial officers of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court.
The CSO asked the CJN to direct the probe of Chief Judge Justice Baba Yusuf Hussein, a judge, Justice Jude Onwungbuzie, as well as a management staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Ms Asabe Waziri, the nominal complainant in a case against Giwa.
In the petition dated December 5, 2025, PAL alleged persecution of Giwa by the judicial officers, the police and the complainant.
The petition signed by Amb. Augustine Ekpo, Director of Legal Affairs of the League, demanded a thorough investigation of all the actors involved in the trial.
PAL, in the petition, said it has been inundated with reports regarding “the ongoing persecution of Barr. Victor Giwa”, who is currently standing trial before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court, Apo, Abuja in Charge No. CR/150/25.
The CSO stated that it would have kept silent as the case is before a court of competent jurisdiction but media reports and firsthand accounts provided by Giwa on 14th November 2025 indicate that silence may not be golden at the moment.
Giwa is facing trial alongside his associate, Barr. Ibitade Bukola, for alleged impersonation and Forgery of the letterhead paper of Awa Kalu, SAN, & Associates.
The petition observed that the charge was allegedly prompted and sponsored by the nominal complainant, Waziri.
Parts of the petition read, “Prior to this time, the said Asabe Waziri was in a running battle with Barr. Victor Giwa and one of his clients named Cecil Osakwe over Two Units of 3 Bedroom Flats located at No. 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja which she attempted to purchase in 2021.
“It happened that Asabe Waziri’s grievance against Barr. Giwa started when a Judgment of the FCT High Court delivered by Hon. Justice Othman Usman was levied against her in 2022 and she was evicted from the aforesaid property. Our investigation reveals that in June 2024 Asabe Waziri forcefully regained possession of the disputed property through the office of the Chief Judge of FCT with the assistance of armed policemen led by CP Aina Emmanuel, then CP SIB, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
“At that time, there was already a pending Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution at the Supreme Court of Nigeria against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/246/2022, which Asabe Waziri used to regain possession. The Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution filed on 22nd May 2024 are attached as APPENDIX VG3A – 3B.”
The petition alleged that after regaining possession of the property, Waziri continually threatened to use her connections to deal with Giwa.
“This threat is to coerce Barr. Giwa and his client into issuing to Asabe Waziri the conveyance documents in respect of the Flats which she now illegally occupies. On 28th January 2025 Barr. Giwa wrote to the Hon. Chief Judge of the FCT whereupon he raised concerns about this threat but there was no response to his letter. It is important to note that Awa Kalu, SAN, whose letterhead paper was allegedly forged by Barr. Victor Giwa wrote to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on 30 May 2025. He stated that he never filed any complaint or incidented a report at any Police Station in Nigeria indicating that his official letterhead paper was forged.”
According to the petition, “The questions begging for answers are: Where is the copy of Asabe Waziri’s petition to the IGP? Why should it be Asabe Waziri that is complaining about the forgery of a letterhead paper supposedly belonging to Awa Kalu, SAN? Is the ongoing prosecution (rather persecution) of Barr. Giwa not a case of personal vendetta?”
The CSO noted that the circumstances in the case raise serious concerns about potential undue influence and the impartiality of the proceedings. “For instance, Hon. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie issued and signed a Bench Warrant against Barr. Giwa on 15th September 2025 at the second sitting in the Charge. This happened even while Barr. Giwa had not been personally served with the Charge Sheet as required by the relevant laws.
“Also, there were pending applications on the same date challenging jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, which His Lordship refused to entertain, despite the attempt by Ogbu Aboje Esq. (appearing for Barr. Giwa) to move them. Available records show that on 30th September 2025 Barr. Giwa was presented to the Court for hearing of his bail application but My Lord insisted that the Prosecuting Counsel must file a Counter Affidavit before the bail application could be heard. Eventually, the bail application was heard and granted on 8th October 2025 with stringent conditions, which led Barr. Giwa to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.”
PAL called for the suspension of the trial and the appointment of an independent panel of senior judicial officers to investigate the allegations.
It called for the protection of Giwa’s constitutional rights, ensuring his bail is not revoked arbitrarily, and that he has access to due process and fair hearing.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
