By Damilola Samuel
An Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama has admitted the American passport of Jordan Nyesom-Wike as evidence in a suit over an alleged $2.1 million land transaction in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Silvanus Oriji admitted the document on Thursday after Wike, son of the FCT Minister, told the court during cross-examination that he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025, the date the claimants alleged that the money was handed to him in Abuja.
The suit, marked CV/008/2026, was filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, who alleged that they approached Jordan to assist them in securing two parcels of land measuring 30 hectares each in Katampe and Guzape.
The claimants alleged that Jordan demanded $2.1 million as facilitation fees, comprising $2 million allegedly meant for his father and $100,000 as his personal fee.
They further claimed that the money was delivered to Jordan on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani, while he was allegedly accompanied by one Onor Sandy.
The claimants told the court that after receiving the money, Jordan failed to facilitate the land acquisition or refund the funds and subsequently became unreachable.
Jordan, however, denied the allegations and maintained that he had no such dealings with the claimants.
During cross-examination by counsel for the claimants, Ibrahim G. Waru, Jordan said he was not in Nigeria when the alleged payment was made.
He told the court that he travelled out of the country using his American passport.
The claimants subsequently secured an order compelling him to produce the passport. The document was tendered and admitted in evidence on Thursday, after which the court made a copy and returned the original to him.
Justice Oriji directed the defence counsel to ensure that the original passport is produced whenever the court requires it during the proceedings.
The court had earlier allowed the claimant’s lawyer to ask Jordan to write his full name and signature five times each on plain sheets of paper.
Jordan, who is represented by a team of lawyers led by Chief Ogwu Onoja, SAN, had adopted his statement on oath denying any involvement in the alleged transaction.
The court adjourned further hearing to December 1, 2 and 14.
