A human rights activist, Barrister Victor Giwa, has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that Asabe Waziri, a nominal complainant in a property dispute case, instigated the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, through the Director of Public Prosecution and the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, to file five different charges against him.
Representing himself in a case of unlawful eviction before Justice Samira Bature, Giwa said the nominal complainant wants to secure an arrest warrant against him and circulate same in the media.
Speaking during proceedings in court on Wednesday, Giwa said, “I am raising a fundamental issue in this matter, which is the jurisdiction of this court to take this matter. My lord, it is important to determine the jurisdiction of this court to hear this matter before proceeding.
“It is important to say that the nominal complainant (Asabe Waziri) in this case has the agenda of ensuring that she pushes the prosecution to ask for a bench warrant against the defendants.”
Giwa further informed the judge that he had already filed a motion on notice challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
The AGF was not represented in court as the prosecution counsel was absent.
Due to the prosecution’s absence, Giwa told the court to strike out the charge, saying the defendants in the matter were not notified via a letter that the prosecuting counsel will not be in court.
He argued that the absence shows lack of diligent prosecution of the case.
But the judge, in a short ruling, said the prosecution should be given another opportunity to appear in court on the next adjourned date.
Giwa urged the court to determine the issue of jurisdiction on the next adjourned date.
“We are objecting to the letter to the court by the prosecution asking for adjournment on the ground that we were not served with a copy.
“At the last adjourned date, my Lord said she will not accommodate future excuses from parties in this case. We have a motion challenging the jurisdiction of this court to hear this matter. We want the court to take our motion first at the next adjourned date.
“I will be appealing to the court to take, our application first so that the prosecution will not be prejudiced,” he said.
Justice Bature adjourned the case to February 3, 2026, for the defendant to argue his motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
The AGF had sued the defendants, Cecil Osakwe, Victor Giwa and Inspector Edith Erhunmuuse, over an allegation of unlawful eviction.
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