“WhatsApp Chats Confirmed Familiarity Between The Duo” — Claimants’ Lawyer Challenges Wike’s Son’s Denial In $2.1m Land Suit

Two lawyers representing opposing parties in a $2.1 million land transaction dispute involving Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have publicly exchanged accusations over the evidence presented before the FCT High Court in Abuja.

The disagreement involves Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, counsel to Jordan, and Ibrahim Waru, lawyer to the claimants, who allege that the minister’s son collected $2.1 million to facilitate the allocation of 60 hectares of land in Abuja but failed to secure the properties or refund the money.

Jordan has denied the allegations, maintaining that he never met the claimants, received money from them or participated in the alleged transaction.

The dispute, which is before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, is marked FCT/HC/CV/008/2026.

The public disagreement between the lawyers followed an interview granted by Waru concerning the proceedings and evidence presented in court.

Reacting to the interview, Onoja accused Waru of spreading falsehoods and misrepresenting the court record in an attempt to damage his client’s reputation and influence public opinion.

According to Onoja, Jordan had openly denied any involvement in the alleged transaction while giving evidence before the court.

He maintained that his client testified under oath on September 28 and 30, 2026, that he had never met Safwan Garba G.Y., the claimant at the centre of the dispute, or any of his agents.

Onoja questioned why Waru chose to discuss the proceedings publicly nearly a month after Jordan’s testimony.

“This haze of lies and malicious fabrication appears to be an orchestrated media campaign intended to whip up sentiments, compromise the mind of the public and intimidate the judge,” Onoja stated.

He insisted that Jordan’s testimony contradicted the allegations being circulated and maintained that the claimants’ lawyer had distorted the facts of the case.

However, Waru rejected the accusations in a rejoinder issued on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, insisting that his earlier statements were based on evidence contained in the court record.

Waru maintained that the documents and testimony presented during the proceedings supported the claimants’ account of the disputed transaction.

He specifically referred to an acknowledgement receipt allegedly bearing Jordan’s signature in connection with the payment of $2.1 million by Safwan Garba G.Y.

According to Waru, the receipt was dated October 17, 2025, and the signature on it matched the signature on Jordan’s witness statement on oath.

He further claimed that the signature corresponded with specimens Jordan provided in the witness box when he was asked to sign five times during the proceedings.

Waru also cited WhatsApp conversations which, according to him, contradicted Jordan’s denial of knowing or having dealings with the claimant.

“Despite the claim of Jordan Wike denying ever knowing or meeting Safwan Garba GY, the WhatsApp chats, whose number Jordan Wike admitted to be his, not only confirmed the familiarity between the duo but also established discussion and understanding regarding the giving and taking of the sum of $2.1m,” Waru said.

He maintained that the interview was intended to correct what he described as misleading accounts of the proceedings circulating on social media.

Waru insisted that his statements contained “no lie or fabrication whatsoever.”

The underlying dispute concerns an alleged arrangement to secure two separate parcels of land measuring 30 hectares each in Katampe and Guzape, Abuja.

According to the claimants, they approached Jordan to assist them in obtaining the land allocations.

They alleged that their first meeting with him took place in London, followed by another meeting in Abuja approximately three months later.

The claimants further alleged that Jordan demanded $2.1 million to facilitate the transaction.

They claimed that $2 million of the amount was intended for his father, the FCT Minister, while the remaining $100,000 was to serve as Jordan’s personal fee.

These allegations remain claims made by the parties and have not been established as findings of the court.

The claimants alleged that the money was handed over to Jordan on September 26, 2025, in the presence of three witnesses.

They also claimed that Jordan was accompanied by an individual identified as Onor Sandy during the transaction.

According to their account, Jordan failed to secure the promised land allocations after receiving the money and did not refund the amount paid.

They further alleged that he subsequently became unreachable, prompting the legal dispute.

Jordan, however, denied receiving the money or participating in the alleged arrangement.

In his testimony before the court, he maintained that he was not in Nigeria on the date the claimants alleged that the money was delivered.

He also denied knowing the claimants or engaging in any transaction involving the proposed land allocations.

During the proceedings, the court admitted Jordan’s international passport in evidence.

The passport forms part of the evidence relevant to his account that he was outside Nigeria when the alleged payment was made.

Meanwhile, Waru disclosed that the claimants had also petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the transaction.

According to him, his legal team submitted additional documents to the anti-graft agency on February 13 in support of the petition against Jordan.

He claimed that the EFCC had yet to act on the petition.

The claimants’ lawyer did not disclose any formal decision by the commission concerning the allegations.

Justice Oriji has adjourned the matter until December 1, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.

Post Title: “WhatsApp Chats Confirmed Familiarity Between The Duo” — Claimants’ Lawyer Challenges Wike’s Son’s Denial In $2.1m Land Suit By Papers Nigeria.