Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, a lawyer and son of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, has denied allegations of receiving $2.1m in an Abuja land deal. He made this statement while being cross-examined in a civil suit filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited. The suit, marked CV/008/2026, is before Justice Silvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court in Abuja.
The claimants, Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, are seeking the recovery of $2.1m they allege was paid to Jordan in connection with a proposed real estate development involving land in Katampe and Guzape. According to the claimants, the parties had proposed a joint venture to develop properties on 1.7 hectares in Guzape and 1.5 hectares in Katampe New Extension. They alleged that Jordan would provide the land while Garba would contribute $4.2m.
Jordan denied receiving the money, signing the disputed agreement, or having any land transaction with the claimants. When confronted with the contract during cross-examination, he told the court that the signature attributed to him had been forged. "I did not receive any money from anybody. I did not sign any document for land deal," he told the court. Jordan also denied knowing Onor Sandy, whom the claimants alleged accompanied him when the money was handed over.
Jordan's testimony came a day after Justice Oriji ordered him to produce his American passport following his claim that he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025, the date the claimants allege the $2.1m cash payment was made. Jordan produced the passport in court, and the judge allowed him to retain the original while a photocopy remained in the court file.
The court was also referred to a transcript of a voice note dated October 17, 2025, which had previously been admitted as Exhibit 7. Asked whether money was discussed in the conversation, Jordan acknowledged that this was what appeared in the transcript but maintained that he did not meet Garba on the date of the alleged payment.
The claimants are asking the court to order the refund of $2.1m, with 10% interest from the date of judgment until payment. They are also seeking N100m in damages and the cost of prosecuting the suit. Jordan and his father have not been found liable over the allegations, which remain disputed and are the subject of the ongoing civil proceedings.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case to December 1, 2, and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial. Jordan, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ogwu Onoja, adopted his statement on oath denying the allegations and documents linking him to the transaction.
Key points
- Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike denies receiving $2.1m in an Abuja land deal, alleging forgery of his signature on the documents.
