Lawyer Urges CJN, DSS to Probe Alleged Bias in His Forgery Trial

A human rights lawyer, Victor Giwa, has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate alleged irregularities and compromise in his ongoing forgery trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

Giwa, who is being tried before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, claimed that his case has been influenced by external interference, particularly from individuals allegedly connected to the office of the Chief Judge of the FCT. The lawyer accused a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Asabe Waziri, of manipulating the judicial process in her favour.

In a motion filed on October 27, 2025, with number M/13799/205, Giwa requested that Justice Onwuegbuzie step aside from handling his case. He alleged that the environment of the trial makes it impossible for him to receive a fair hearing, adding that some persons within the judiciary were supporting Asabe Waziri to secure his conviction.

Giwa also alleged that during a previous attempt at settlement, a senior official from the FCT High Court’s Enforcement Unit demanded ₦800 million as payment to halt his arraignment. He claimed to have evidence of the demand and attached it to his court filing as proof.

The lawyer called on the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the DSS to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and pledged to undergo a polygraph test to prove the truthfulness of his claims.

The police had earlier charged Giwa with forging the letterhead of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu. However, Kalu, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police dated May 30, 2025, denied ever accusing Giwa of forgery or submitting any complaint to the authorities.

Despite Kalu’s clarification, the police went ahead to prosecute Giwa and another defendant, Bukola Ibitade. Giwa maintains that the charges are politically motivated and that his ongoing trial lacks fairness.