The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, has struck out six applications filed by Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa in his ongoing trial on allegations of forgery and impersonation. The judicial action took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as the court reaffirmed its authority to proceed with the matter.
Victor Giwa and a co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are standing trial on charges that include forging official documents and impersonating another legal practitioner. The prosecution, led by the Inspector-General of Police, accused the defendants of attempting to misuse forged paperwork in a bid to influence legal proceedings.
Giwa had filed multiple motions, including an application requesting that the presiding judge be recused from the case on the basis of alleged bias, alongside other procedural challenges aimed at stalling the proceedings. Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie reviewed the filings and determined that the motions lacked the legal foundation necessary for consideration, resulting in their dismissal.
Legal observers note that the actions taken by the court reflect ongoing tensions in high-profile criminal cases where procedural manoeuvring by defendants intersects with judicial demand for timely prosecution. The case has been adjourned for further trial proceedings following the ruling.
The outcome reinforces the court’s stance that interlocutory motions must meet strict procedural criteria to be entertained, and that efforts to delay criminal trials through repetitive filings may be struck down when deemed inconsistent with legal standards.
