Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday refused to recuse himself from the ongoing trial of two Abuja-based lawyers over alleged forgery and impersonation.

The lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, are being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) before the court on a three-count charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/150/2025.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants forged official documents and impersonated a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu, in an attempt to mislead the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) into withdrawing criminal charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, earlier filed against Giwa and two others before Justice Samira Bature of the FCT High Court, sitting at Maitama.

At the resumed hearing in the case today, the prosecuting counsel, F.G Gabriel, informed the court that the prosecution filed two motions, M/14692/25, dated November 10, seeking amendment of the charge and M/14024/25, seeking revocation of the bail earlier granted to the first defendant.

While Giwa represented himself, iOgbu Aboje appeared for the second defendant, Bukola.

The first defendant, Giwa, who appeared for himself as counsel, on his part informed the court that he filed three separate motions before the court: M/757/25, dated May 21, seeking the discharge of the case for lack of jurisdiction; M/12210/25, dated September 30, asking the court to strike out the charge for failing to disclose sufficient materials and M/13799/25, dated October 27, requesting the judge to recuse himself from the matter over alleged bias.

Moving his motion for recusal, Giwa told the court that his trial had been pre-arranged by the nominal complainant, adding that the presiding judge had shown manifest bias in the conduct of proceedings.

He said he relied on Sections 6(6) and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), adding that his motion was supported by a 74-paragraph affidavit with 15 exhibits.

The prosecuting counsel, Gabriel, relying on the prosecution?s counter-affidavit, filed on November 4, urged the court to dismiss the application.

The prosecutor further told the court that Giwa?s allegations were unfounded and speculative.

In a brief ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie dismissed the motion for lack of merit.

He held that the application was borne out of mere imagination, adding that no credible evidence was placed before the court to suggest bias or prejudice.

?Having examined the affidavit and submissions, I find no basis for the allegations of bias. All actions taken in this matter have followed due process,? the Justice Onwuegbuzie held.

He submitted that the court remained committed to dispensing justice fairly and declared that, ?Justice must be served without fear or favour.?

He subsequently adjourned the case to November 27 for continuation of the hearing. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news