…Urge public to disregard viral reports, threaten legal action against bloggers and media outlets spreading alleged falsehoodThe legal team representing Jordan Nyesom-Wike has accused some bloggers, social media commentators and media platforms of misrepresenting court proceedings in a pending suit involving Safwan Garba G.Y., particularly claims that Wike admitted receiving $2.1 million for an Abuja property.
The allegation was contained in a press statement issued by Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, FCArb., team lead for Jordan Wike, who described the reports circulating online as false, malicious and capable of damaging his client’s reputation.
The suit, instituted by Safwan Garba G.Y. against Jordan Wike, is pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/008/2026.
According to the legal team, reports attributed to Sahara Reporters, Very Dark Man (VDM) and other online platforms suggested that Wike had admitted receiving $2.1 million in connection with an Abuja property transaction.
The lawyers, however, strongly disputed the interpretation of the court proceedings, insisting that their client’s position had been misrepresented.
“Our attention has been drawn to stories on a series of blogs, comments and conclusions on social media by mischief makers and promoters of falsehood,” the statement said.
The legal team further described the reports as a coordinated attempt to influence public opinion, alleging that the publications were intended to create a misleading narrative about the ongoing litigation.
Lawyers cite Wike’s court defence
Providing its account of the proceedings, the legal team maintained that Wike had consistently denied ever meeting Safwan Garba G.Y. or any of his agents.
It stated that Wike maintained this position while giving evidence in court on September 28 and 30, 2026.
“For the records, Jordan Wike in his defence before the court stated in unequivocal terms that he has never met Safwan Garba G.Y. or any of his agents at any time,” the statement said.
The lawyers questioned why I.G. Waru, counsel to Safwan Garba, would grant a media interview weeks after the proceedings, alleging that the interview had fuelled inaccurate interpretations of what transpired in court.
They argued that public commentary on a pending case should reflect the actual proceedings rather than unverified claims or conclusions circulated online.
EFCC petition controversy
The legal team also addressed reports concerning a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the petition and related claims had been presented without sufficient context.
According to the statement, Wike’s lawyers tendered the relevant letter in court to highlight what they described as inconsistencies in the accounts and claims advanced by Safwan Garba and his legal representatives.
The statement further alleged that Safwan Garba had failed to refer to the document in his pleadings and had not followed up with the EFCC after submitting the letter.
These assertions represent the position of Wike’s legal team and could not, from the statement alone, be independently established.
Lawyers warn against trial by media
The lawyers said they had previously refrained from issuing public comments because the matter remained before the court. They explained, however, that the volume of online commentary and the alleged damage to their client’s reputation had made a public clarification necessary.
They also called on the legal representatives of both parties to respect professional standards and allow the court to determine the dispute on its merits.
“It behoves the lawyers representing both parties to maintain proper professional posture rather than resort to underhand measures using the media to craft false narratives intended to paint a different picture from what has so far transpired in court,” the statement said.
The legal team accused Waru of conduct it considered unethical and potentially contemptuous, while urging members of the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the case based on unverified social media reports.
Threaten legal action against bloggers, media houses
The lawyers warned that individuals and media organisations continuing to publish what they described as false allegations against Wike could face legal consequences.
They urged bloggers, commentators and media houses that had published the disputed claims to remove them, arguing that the reports were unfounded and damaging to their client’s reputation.
“Any member of the public, bloggers or media houses who continue to propagate this blatant falsehood against the person of Jordan Nyesom-Wike will be susceptible to both criminal and civil actions for malicious falsehood, cyberbullying, slander and libel,” the statement warned.
The legal team concluded by calling on the public to disregard what it characterised as misleading reports and allow the judicial process to run its course.
The statement was signed by Dr. Ogwu J. Onoja, SAN, FCArb., team lead for Jordan Wike.
The allegations and counterclaims surrounding the $2.1 million transaction remain matters to be determined in the pending proceedings. The account provided by Wike’s lawyers does not, by itself, establish the court’s findings or the position of the opposing party.
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