Wike’s Son Denies Receiving $2.1m for Abuja Land, Allergies Forgery

Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, son of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has denied receiving $2.1m from a businessman for an Abuja property transaction, telling an FCT High Court that a document used to link him to the deal carries a forged signature.

Jordan, a lawyer, made the claim on Wednesday while giving evidence in his defence in a civil suit filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited over an alleged failed property transaction.

The case, marked CV/008/2026, is being heard by Justice Silvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The claimants are asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1m they allege was paid to him over a proposed property development project involving land in Guzape and Katampe.

Jordan has denied receiving the money and has also rejected claims that he had a business relationship with the claimants concerning the disputed properties.

During Wednesday’s cross-examination, he disputed the authenticity of an agreement presented in court and denied signing the document. He also told the court that he did not know one of the men whom the claimants alleged was present when the money was allegedly handed over.

The defence came a day after Justice Oriji directed Jordan to produce his American passport. The order followed his evidence that he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025, the date the claimants alleged that the payment was made.

Jordan brought the passport to court on Wednesday. His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, then asked that a photocopy be kept in the court records while the original remained with his client. The judge granted the request but directed that the original must be produced whenever the court requires it.

According to the claimants’ case, Garba first met Jordan in London in 2023, after which they developed a relationship. The claimants said their dealings later extended to a proposed real estate project in Abuja.

They alleged that Jordan introduced a property development arrangement in 2025 under which land would be provided for the construction of houses for sale. The proposed joint venture was said to involve 1.7 hectares in Guzape and another 1.5 hectares in Katampe New Extension.

The claimants said Garba was expected to provide $4.2m for the development while Jordan was to contribute the land. They also alleged that proceeds from the project would be shared between the parties, with Garba receiving 60 per cent and Jordan 40 per cent.

The claimants further alleged that Apostle Associate Limited, Kano, prepared the relevant agreement, while Jordan nominated Creekstone General Contractor Limited to handle the proposed construction.

Garba later alleged that he paid $2.1m for two plots after being led to believe that Jordan had the authority to provide the properties.

The claimant said the money was allegedly paid in cash at a residence in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani. He also alleged that a man identified as Onor Sandy accompanied Jordan.

Garba further claimed that an acknowledgement document was completed after the alleged payment, with a signature attributed to Jordan and copies of his identification and passport details attached.

Jordan has rejected this account and maintained that he neither received the money nor signed the documents connecting him to the transaction.

The claimants also alleged that Jordan became difficult to reach after the payment and that they later discovered that the land was not owned by him. Garba said he visited the proposed locations and found another company preparing to develop the properties.

He alleged that efforts to resolve the matter and secure a refund were unsuccessful. According to the claimants, they formally demanded their money back on October 31, 2025, but did not receive a satisfactory response, leading to the filing of the suit.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the claimants’ lawyer, Ibrahim Waru, also questioned Jordan about a transcript of a voice note dated October 17, 2025. The recording had previously been admitted as Exhibit 7.

Jordan acknowledged that the transcript contained a discussion relating to money but maintained that he did not meet Garba physically on September 26, 2025.

Waru also presented the disputed contract and asked Jordan about the signature of a person described as his witness. Jordan identified the signature as belonging to Sandy but said he did not know the man and denied collecting or signing any document with him.

Jordan also confirmed that he had not reported the alleged forgery to the police.

The claimants are asking the court to order Jordan to refund the disputed $2.1m, with 10 per cent interest from the date of judgment until full payment. They are also seeking N100m in damages and the cost of pursuing the case.

The claimants further alleged that after their attempts to recover the money failed, Garba approached Wike to complain about the transaction. They alleged that the minister directed the matter to the police.

The allegations against Jordan and his father have not been established by the court and remain part of the ongoing civil proceedings.

Jordan, through his counsel, has adopted his statement on oath in which he denied the claims and rejected the documents said to connect him to the transaction.

The defence has also requested time to bring additional witnesses before the court. Justice Oriji granted the request after the claimants raised no objection and adjourned the case to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of the trial.