The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Apo, Abuja, has fixed June 22, 2026, to rule on applications filed by Abuja-based lawyer Victor Giwa, including a request for the release of his international passport on medical grounds.
The development followed the withdrawal of Giwa’s counsel, Mr Farooq Akanbi, from the case during proceedings before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie on Wednesday.
Akanbi apologised to the court over his conduct at the previous sitting, when he left the courtroom before the judge arrived, leading to an adjournment of the matter. He told the court the action was not intended as a sign of disrespect and subsequently announced his withdrawal from representing the first defendant.
According to him, the decision was taken to enable Giwa to conduct his defence personally.
The case had earlier been stalled on June 3 after concerns arose over the defendant’s legal representation following the absence of his counsel.
At the resumed hearing, Giwa informed the court of a pending motion dated May 28, 2026, seeking reliefs related to his health condition and requesting the release of his international passport to facilitate medical treatment abroad.
However, prosecuting counsel, Mr Wisdom Madaki, challenged the authenticity of medical documents attached to the application. He told the court that after receiving the motion, the prosecution contacted General Hospital, Nyanya, to verify the medical report submitted by the defendant.
Madaki alleged that the hospital denied issuing the document and further stated that the doctor whose name appeared on the report
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