Category: Metro

ABUJA -An Abuja based legal practitioner, Victor Giwa, has cried out over what he described as “judicial absurdity” exhibited by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo.

Giwa is presently a party in a charge marked CR/150/25, between the Inspector General of Police v. Victor Giwa and others pending before Justice Onwuegbuzie.

Addressing Judiciary Correspondents on Thursday, Giwa narrated his sordid experience in the hands of the trial judge, when the matter came up on November 12, 2025.

“Yesterday, was a very sad and unfortunate day for me. I cried because I didn’t know that the Nigerian justice system has gotten this bad.

“I saw one yet again with Hon. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court 30, Apo, before whom I am standing trial” Giwa stated.

As one of the defendants in the case, Giwa said he was in court for the trial, which according to him, “has been nothing but an arrangement sponsored by Asabe Waziri and facilitated by a senior lawyer and some persons in office of the Chief Judge of FCT.

Giwa disclosed that the case was for cross examination of PW1 (Asabe Waziri), and that he was ready to proceed just as the prosecuting counsel informed the court of his readiness.

However, Giwa stated, he noticed that Asabe 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.

According to Giwa, the Judge responded and informed him that he saw a Motion on Notice to recuse himself from the case, stressing, “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.

“Hon. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie started delivering his prepared Ruling even when I had not spoken about the application.

“I almost fainted in the Court. I gasped for breath. I shouted that I was fainting. It was like a movie. The Hon. Judge was neck-dip into the arena.

“The Hon. Judge must deliver as instructed. The court must deal with me. Nothing should stop him, as I was informed that the Honouable Chief Judge personally has interest in the matter and that I should be sent to jail” Giwa stated.

Without hearing the defence and prosecution lawyers make submissions, Giwa said, the trial judge went ahead to give a ruling that he had no interest in the case and that he must proceed with the case at all cost.

Giwa concluded by saying that though he neither has Godfathers nor senior lawyers and some Judges as well as Dollars to play around like Asabe Waziri, “But I have conscience, that most of them have lost. Nigeria must protect it’s conscience. We must save our Judiciary”.

Lawyers at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, were stunned as the judge began delivering his ruling without the submission of applicant and defendant in the motion for recusal before him.

It took the intervention of the Legal Assistant of the court who drew the attention of the judge to the fact that parties in the matter were yet to make their submissions in the motion he was ruling on before he halted his ruling.

The lawyers said they were surprised that the judge began his riuling on the motion before him without parties arguing it.

According to them, it is expected that parties are supposed to argue a motion before the court before ruling is delivered one way or the other.

Human Rights activist, Victor Giwa had filed a motion before the court seeking the recusal of the judge from his case.

The police had accused Giwa of forging letterhead paper of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Awa Kalu.

But Awa Kalu, in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode. Egebtolun, put a lie to the allegation of the police against Ibitade amd Giwa.

Despite the letter of Prof. Awa Kalu to the Inspector-General of Police, formally distancing himself from the allegation of forgery and impersonation against Giwa and Ibitade, the police have gone ahead to press charge against Giwa.

Chief Kalu, in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had said his letterhead was never forged and that he had not at anytime lodged any complaint to the police about forgery of his document.

Professor Kalu, in a letter dated May 30, 2025, addressed to the Inspector General of Police, clarified that he neither filed a complaint nor reported Mr. Giwa for allegedly forging his firm’s letterhead.

During the proceedings, Wednesday, Barrister Giwa asked the judge to recuse himself from the matter on the ground of bias and partisanship.

He told the court while arguing his motion after the court halted it’s ruling to allow parties address him that he has no chance of getting justice before the court.

The police in their counter motion asked the court to dismiss the motion.

In a brief, already prepared ruling before submissions were made by Counsel in the matter, the court struck out the motion, saying that the court is not bias in the matter.

According to him, “This court is not bias, the issue raised by the applicant in hisotion has no basis. This motion is here by struck-out”

Giwa had said in an affidavit in support of the application with motion number M/13799/2025 that Asabe Waziri has the backing of some persons in the office of the FCT High Court CJ with respect to his trial in court.

He said in the affidavit, “That I know as a fact that Arabe Waziri is fully supported by persons in the Office of the Chief Judge of FCT, and enjoys favour with respect to her cases in Court.

“That I made efforts and send emissaries to the office of the Chief Judge with the knowledge that the office of the Chef Judge is against me.

“That I have no chances of getting justice before this Honourable Court in this case as the outcome is pre-determined and Asabe Waziri has boasted repeatedly that this Honourable Court is arranged to obtain a conviction and use same as a basis for the withdrawal of my practice license.

“That I humbly and respectfully demand that this case be further investigated by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

“That I am ready and available to undertake a polygraph test to verify the veracity of my claims and the facts deposed in this affidavit.

“That Asabe Waziri enjoys full support from the Office of the Chief Judge of
the FCT High Court and its staff, That i depose to this affidavit in good faith believing the contents to be true
and correct and in accordance with the Oath Act 2004.”

Emmanuel lkpeama 

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Leadership and Creative Entrepreneurs in Africa (CELCE-Africa) Ltd/GTE,Amb. Kingsley Enwelim Nwanze,has extended extended heartfelt felicitations to Hon. George Adegeye Olawande, Member representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives on the occasion of his birthday.

In his congratulatory message,Amb. Nwanze described Hon. Adegeye as a visionary and people-focused leader, whose humility and sense of purpose have contributed to the development of Amuwo Odofin.

He noted that Adegeye’s passion for service and consistency in upholding the confidence of his constituents serve as an example of true leadership.

“Your passion for service and consistency in upholding the confidence of your constituents serve as a shining example of true leadership,” Amb. Nwanze said.

“As you celebrate another year of impactful life, I encourage you to remain focused on the people and continue to strengthen the bond of trust between you and those you represent.”

Nwanze went further to charge the federal lawmaker to sustain his exemplary performance and deepen his legislative interventions as he prepares to return to the parliament in 2027, reaffirming the hope and aspirations of the people of Amuwo Odofin.

Amb. Nwanze prayed for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, and sound health upon the celebrant as he advances his journey of service to humanity and nation-building.

Emmanuel lkpeama 

XFP Productions has announced the inaugural XFP Afro Disability Arts Festival (ADAF), a continental celebration of the exceptional talent, culture, and resilience of persons with disabilities (PWDs). 

The festival will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, in December 2026, under the theme “Celebrating Ability Through Creativity and Culture.”

Investigator news reports that ADAF 2026 aims to become Africa’s largest and most influential platform for showcasing the talents of PWDs, challenging cultural misconceptions and stereotypes, and promoting inclusivity and diversity.

The festival will feature a range of activities, including electrifying performances in music, dance, and comedy by disabled and non-disabled artists,an arts exhibition showcasing paintings, sculptures, and photography by talented disabled artists,a fashion runway featuring adaptive clothing and models with disabilities and the crowning of Miss & Mr. ADAF, who will serve as ambassadors for inclusive arts and culture

According to the Project Coordinator, Emmanuella Ekwuazi,the festival is designed to deliver tangible social and economic impact by influencing inclusive cultural policies, creating jobs and income opportunities for PWDs, and positioning Lagos and Nigeria as leading hubs for inclusive cultural innovation.

“Our goal is to amplify the voices of artists and creatives with disabilities across Africa and foster deep cultural inclusion,”

. “ADAF will build vital networks connecting artists, advocates, and sponsors, while offering corporate partners a platform to align their brands with global inclusion goals (SDGs 10 & 11), demonstrate real social responsibility, and achieve unparalleled visibility among diverse audiences.”she said.

For Anthony Jay Williams,CEO of XFP Production and XFP Afro Disability Arts Festival,he said,“the XFP Afro Disability Arts Festival is more than an event; it is a vision realized, a commitment to dismantling cultural and societal barriers,”

“Our mission is to build a world-class continental stage where artists and creatives with disabilities can freely express themselves, challenge bias, and achieve economic empowerment within the creative sector. This is a call to action for Africa to look beyond disability and embrace profound ability.”

Investigator news gathered that XFP Productions invites Corporate Partners, Government Agencies, Development Partners, and Media Organizations to join this transformative journey and invest in ability, not disability.

Supporting ADAF 2026 means advancing diversity, accessibility, and creative empowerment across Africa.