A human rights lawyer, Victor Giwa, has cried out over what he described as “judicial absurdity” exhibited by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja.
Giwa is being tried for alleged forgery before Justice Onwuegbuzie on a charge marked CR/150/25, filed by the Inspector General of Police.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, Giwa narrated his experience in the hands of the judge when the matter came up on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
He said, “Yesterday (Wednesday) was a very sad and unfortunate day for me. I cried because I didn’t know that the Nigerian justice system had gotten this bad. I saw one yet again with Honourable Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court 30, Apo, before whom I am standing trial.”
As one of the defendants in the case, Giwa said he was in court for the trial, which according to him, is nothing but an arrangement sponsored by the nominal complainant, Asabe Waziri, and facilitated by a senior lawyer and some persons in the Office of the Chief Judge of the FCT.
Giwa disclosed that the case was for cross examination of the first prosecution witness, Waziri, and that he was ready to proceed just as the prosecuting counsel informed the court of his readiness.
However, Giwa stated that he noticed that Waziri refused to approach the witness box as she sat glued to her seat.
At this juncture, Giwa said the judge interjected and informed the court that he saw a motion on notice seeking his recusal from further hearing of the charge.
Giwa had filed the motion, asking the judge to recuse himself from the suit on the grounds of alleged bias.
Explaining further, the human rights lawyer said, “My Lord insisted on taking the motion first. I informed the court that I had not said anything about the motion, and as a matter of fact, I was not interested in the motion yet. His Lordship, however, insisted that he would take the motion on notice to recuse himself.
“To put the records straight, I had four pending motions in the file docket, including the one challenging the court’s jurisdiction to proceed with the matter, yet the honourable judge was more interested in the motion for recusal. It was thereafter that I got the shock of my life.
“Honourable Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie started delivering his prepared ruling even when I had not spoken about the application.
“I almost fainted on the court. I gasped for breath. I shouted that I was fainting. It was like a movie. The honourable judge was neck-deep into the arena.
“The judge must deliver as instructed. The court must deal with me. Nothing should stop him, as I was informed that the Honourable Chief Judge personally has interest in the matter and that I should be sent to jail.”
According to Giwa, without listening to the submissions of the defence and prosecution counsel, the judge went ahead to give a ruling, declaring that he was not biased and that he must proceed with the case.
Giwa concluded by saying that though he neither has godfathers nor senior lawyers and some judges as well as dollars to play around with, he has conscience.
“I have conscience that most of them have lost. Nigeria must protect it’s conscience. We must save our judiciary,” the human rights lawyer said.
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