By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
A Lawyer and a Human Right activist, Barrister Victor Giwa, has told Justice Samira Bature of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, how a nominal complainant, Asabe Waziri, 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 charge against a lawyer and his client.
The lawyer, in an open court told the judge that the aim of the nominal complainant is to secure an arrest warrant and circulate same in the media.
He said, “I am raising a fundamental issues 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 Warrants against the defendants.”
According to Giwa, he has already filed a motion on notice challemging.the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
During the proceedings, the AGF was not represented in court as the Prosecution Counsel was absent in court.
Following his absence, Barrister Giwa told the court to strike out the charge, saying the the defendants in the matter were not notified via a letter that they will be absent in court.
According to him, his absence shows lack of diligent prosecution of the case.
But the court, in a short ruling said the prosecution should be given another opportunity to appear in court at the. Next adjourned date.
Giwa argued, “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 challenhing 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”.
After listening to Counsel in the matter, the court adjourned the case to February 3, 2026 for the defendants to argue his motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
The AGF sued the defendants, Cecil Osakwe, Victor Giwa and Inspector Edith Erhunmuuse, over allegation of unlawful eviction.
But the defendants had filed a motion to challenge the suit, whi h will be heard by the court at the next adjourned date.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
