Recuse yourself from my trial – Human rights lawyer tells judge
A human Rights activist, Barrister Victor Giwa, has challenged his continued trial by Justice Jude Onwuuegbuzie of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
In a motion dated October 27, 2025, numbered M/13799/205, Giwa said his trial before the court was pre-arranged by Asabe Waziri, the nominal complainant, Joe Agi, SAN, AIG Oyakhire Ekeinde, (rtd), for Director of Legal Services, Nigerian Police Force and Mohammed Baabandoko Abubakar.
Giwa insisted that the judge is manifestly biased against him and his co-defendant and cannot do justice in the matter.
Giwa and Bukola Ibitade are standing trial before the court for allegedly forging the letterhead of Awa Kalu, SAN.
Despite a letter by Kalu to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, formally distancing himself from the allegation of forgery and impersonation against Giwa and Ibitade, the police had gone ahead to arraign the duo.
Kalu had in the letter dated May 30, 2025, said his letterhead was never forged and that he had not at anytime lodged any complaint to the police about forgery of his document.
The SAN clarified that he neither filed a complaint nor reported Giwa for allegedly forging his firm’s letterhead.
In the October 27, 2025 motion on notice, Giwa prayed the court to make an order for Justice Jude Onwuuegbuzie to recuse himself from the charge numbered CR/15025 on the basis of manifest bias and partisanship against him.
He also asked the court to transfer the case back to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court for reassignment.
The lawyer raised eight grounds upon which the application was made.
According to him, he is entitled to fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 364 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), adding that the continued hearing of the charge by the court will amount to a breach of his constitutional right to fair hearing.
Parts of the motion read, “That this Honourable Court per Hon. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie is manifestly biased against the Defendants, especially the Ist Defendant.
“That this Honourable Court has foreknowledge of the Charge based on request and arrangement between the Nominal Complainant, Asate Waziri, Joe Agi (SAN), AIG Oyakire Ekeinde (rtd.), Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar and the office of the Chief Judge of FCT High Court.
“That the Defendants have no confidence in getting justice from the Court of Hon Justice Onwuegbuzie Jude.
“That the Charge and trial are prearranged by Asabe Waziri, Nominal Complainant, Joe Agi SAN, AIG Oyakhire Ekeinde (rtd) former Director, Legal, Nigerian Police Force and Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar and the office of the Chief Judge of FCT High Court to deal with the Defendants like Asabe Waziri has boasted.”
Giwa insisted that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.