Human rights lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, on Thursday told Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo that he was being intimidated by the court.
Giwa raised the allegation while attempting to make a submission and urging the judge to grant him audience.
The police had accused Giwa of forging the letterhead of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu. However, Chief Kalu, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, refuted the allegation and stated clearly that he never lodged any complaint of forgery or impersonation against Giwa or his associate, Ibitade.
In the letter dated May 30, 2025, Professor Kalu affirmed that his letterhead was never forged and that he did not, at any time, report Giwa to the police. Despite this clarification, the police have continued to press charges against Giwa.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Giwa informed the court that he had a medical report indicating that he was indisposed and unable to proceed. He further explained that he had engaged a new lawyer who was expected to represent him.
Justice Onwuegbuzie, however, insisted that the matter must continue.
Giwa had earlier filed an application asking the judge to recuse himself from the case on grounds of alleged bias and partisanship. The court was set to hear the motion when Giwa reiterated his ill-health, presenting the medical report, but the judge maintained that he should proceed and move his application.
Giwa also told the court that he had just been served with the amended counter-motion filed by the police and had not had sufficient time to study it. It was at this point that the court agreed to adjourn, fixing the next hearing for December 10, 2025.
In his application, Giwa argued that he had no chance of receiving justice before Justice Onwuegbuzie and therefore sought the judge’s recusal from the case.