Jordan Wike, son of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has denied receiving $2.1 million from businessman Safwan Garba in connection with a failed real estate venture in Abuja.
Jordan made the denial on Wednesday while appearing before the FCT High Court, presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, as proceedings continued in a suit filed over the disputed business deal.
Garba and his company, GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, are seeking the refund of $2.1 million they allegedly paid to Jordan.
Jordan is the sole defendant in the case.
The Alleged Business Deal
According to court documents, Garba said Jordan introduced him to a real estate investment opportunity on September 26, 2025.
He alleged that both parties subsequently entered into a joint venture agreement to develop houses for sale in Abuja.
Under the alleged agreement, Jordan was to provide 1.7 hectares of land in Guzape Extension and another 1.5 hectares in Katampe New Extension, while Garba was to provide $4.2 million for the construction of the houses.
The proceeds, according to Garba, were to be shared on a 60:40 basis, with 60 percent going to him and 40 percent to Jordan.
Garba said Apostle Associate Limited, Kano, prepared the agreement on his behalf, while Jordan presented Creekstone General Contractor Limited as the company that would execute the project.
He alleged that Jordan later pressured him to pay half of the agreed $4.2 million before he could inspect the land.
Garba claimed that after requesting Jordan’s bank details, Jordan allegedly insisted that the money be paid in cash and US dollars to facilitate the project.
According to the claimant, he handed over $2.1 million to Jordan on October 17, 2025, at a residence in Gwarinpa, Abuja, in the presence of Salisu Aliyu Hassan and Aliyu Sarki.
He further alleged that Jordan signed an acknowledgement for the money and provided a copy of his National Identification Number (NIN) slip.
Construction Allegedly Failed to Begin
Garba told the court that several weeks after the payment, there was no evidence of construction on the land allegedly provided by Jordan.
He said he later discovered during another visit that a different company had commenced construction on the property.
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According to him, Jordan could not provide a satisfactory explanation when confronted over the development.
Garba also alleged that attempts to contact Jordan were unsuccessful, prompting him to seek the intervention of the FCT minister.
He claimed that he met Wike on December 24, 2025, over the matter and alleged that the minister accused him of being “a liar and a thief” before handing the matter over to the police.
Garba is asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1 million and is also seeking N100 million in damages for what he described as the trauma and psychological distress caused by the incident.
Jordan Denies Receiving the Money
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Jordan presented his American passport to the court following an earlier order that he produce the document.
The order followed his testimony that he was not in Nigeria on September 26, 2025.
His lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, asked the court to retain a photocopy of the passport instead of the original. The judge granted the request and directed that the original be produced if required.
During cross-examination, counsel to the claimant, Ibrahim Waru, presented Jordan with a transcript of a voice note dated October 17, 2025.
When asked whether the document contained a discussion about money, Jordan responded, “Yes, that is what appears here.”
However, he maintained that he did not meet Garba physically on September 26, 2025.
When shown the alleged contract and the signature of one Onor Sandy, identified as his purported witness, Jordan said he did not know the person and had neither signed nor received the document.
Jordan also told the court that the signature attributed to him on the agreement was forged.
When asked whether he had reported the alleged forgery to the police, he said he had not.
His counsel subsequently asked for more time to subpoena witnesses in the matter.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until December 1, 2026, for further proceedings.
Source: The Cable
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.