Counsel to Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has accused opposing counsel and prominent online commentators of conducting a “media trial” and threatened legal action against those repeating claims that his client admitted receiving $2.1 million in a disputed Abuja land transaction.
James Onoja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing Jordan Nyesom-Wike, said reports circulating on blogs and social media had distorted proceedings in a civil suit before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama.
He said his client had made no admission that he collected the money.
The case, filed by businessman Safwan Garba and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd., alleges that Jordan Nyesom-Wike received $2.1 million in cash to help secure land in the Katampe and Guzape districts of Abuja.
The claimants are seeking a refund, interest and damages, alleging that the promised land allocations were never delivered.
Jordan Nyesom-Wike has denied the allegations.
In testimony on September 28 and 30, he told the court that he did not know Garba, never received money from him and did not execute the land agreements.
He also said the signatures on documents presented in court were forged.
In a statement issued on Friday, Onoja criticized Ibrahim Waru, counsel to the claimants, and online commentators, including VeryDarkMan and Sahara Reporters, saying they had misrepresented the evidence and fueled unverified narratives.
He warned that continued publication could expose them to civil and criminal claims, including malicious falsehood, cyberbullying, slander and libel.
“There is no court process containing any admission of receiving $2.1 million,” Onoja said.
He argued that the claimants were attempting to litigate the matter outside the courtroom.
The defense has sought to undercut the claimants’ account by producing Jordan Nyesom-Wike’s American passport, which it says shows he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025—the date the plaintiffs allege the cash was delivered in Abuja.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji admitted the passport in evidence during earlier proceedings.
The claimants have separately petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking an investigation into alleged fraud and misappropriation.
Their lawyer said the anti-graft agency had acknowledged the petition, though no public enforcement action has been announced.
The claimants have also asked the Chief Judge to reassign the case, citing alleged ties between the presiding judge and the minister’s family.
The court has not publicly ruled on that request.
Justice Oriji adjourned the civil trial to December 1, 2 and 14 for further hearings.
The court has made no finding on whether the payment occurred or whether Jordan Nyesom-Wike is liable.
