Counsel to Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa, Mr. Farooq Akanbi, on Wednesday formally withdrew from representing the defendant in his ongoing trial over alleged forgery and impersonation before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo. This development paves the way for Giwa to continue his defence in person.
At the resumed proceedings before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, Akanbi apologized to the court over his conduct at the previous sitting when he exited the courtroom before the judge entered, an action that led to an adjournment of the case. He insisted the incident was not intended as a mark of disrespect to the court and subsequently announced the withdrawal of his legal representation for the first defendant to enable him to represent himself.
The development followed the events of June 3 when the court declined to proceed with the matter after the defence counsel's absence triggered concerns over proper representation. At Wednesday's proceedings, Giwa informed the court he had a pending motion dated May 28, 2026, seeking reliefs connected to his medical condition and the release of his international passport.
Responding, prosecuting counsel Wisdom Madaki challenged the authenticity of medical documents attached to the application. He told the court that after being served with the motion, the prosecution wrote to General Hospital, Nyanya, to verify the medical report relied upon by the defendant, but the hospital allegedly denied issuing the document, saying the medical report Giwa presented to the court was fake. Madaki further disclosed that Giwa later filed a further affidavit containing another medical report purportedly from the same hospital, prompting another request for verification. In view of this, we apply for a short adjournment to enable confirmation from the hospital, or we proceed with the substantive issue, Madaki submitted.
However, Giwa opposed the request, arguing that once he had filed a further and better affidavit, the prosecution was foreclosed from responding. He maintained that it would be unconstitutional to subject his application to an investigation, adding that if the prosecution believed the documents were forged, it could pursue a separate investigation. He also urged the court to accord weight to his standing at the Bar and release his documents to facilitate medical treatment.
In a brief ruling, Justice Onwuegbuzie agreed with the defendant that the motion was ripe for hearing and proceeded to entertain arguments on the application. Adopting his motion and supporting processes, Giwa urged the court to discountenance the prosecution's counter-affidavit, arguing that its deponent relied on information obtained from an interested party in the matter. Madaki, on his part, urged the court to dismiss the application. The defendant also moved a separate application dated May 14, which the prosecution did not oppose.
After listening to the parties, Justice Onwuegbuzie reserved ruling on the applications until June 22, 2026. Giwa and his co-defendant, Ibitade Bukola, are facing trial over allegations of forging official documents and impersonating Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu. Both defendants have denied the charges.
