Jordan Ezenwo Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied receiving $2.1m from a businessman over an alleged Abuja land deal, telling an FCT High Court that his signature on documents linking him to the transaction was forged.

Jordan, a lawyer, also denied knowing one of the men the claimants alleged was present when the money was purportedly paid to him.

He made the claims on Wednesday while testifying under cross-examination in a suit filed by Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited over an alleged failed real estate transaction.

The suit, marked CV/008/2026, is before Justice Silvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The claimants are seeking to recover $2.1m they allegedly paid Jordan in connection with a proposed property development venture involving land in Katampe and Guzape.

Jordan has consistently denied receiving the money or having any business dealings with the claimants.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, he disputed the authenticity of an agreement bearing a signature attributed to him.

When shown the document during cross-examination, Jordan said the signature was forged.

“I did not receive any money from anybody. I did not sign any document for land deal. I only found out that my signature was on the land document just like anyone else in this court yesterday (Tuesday),” he told the court.

He also said, “I never had any friend named Onor Sandy and I did not have any deal with anyone regarding land deal.”

The testimony came a day after Justice Oriji ordered Jordan to produce his American passport after he told the court that he was outside Nigeria on September 26, 2025—the date the claimants alleged he received the $2.1m.

Jordan produced the passport in court on Wednesday.

His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja, subsequently asked the court to allow a photocopy of the passport to remain on the court file while Jordan retained the original. The court granted the request, directing that the original be produced whenever required.

According to the claimants’ statement of claim, they first met Jordan in London in 2023 and subsequently developed a business relationship.

Garba alleged that Jordan later introduced a real estate business to him in 2025, leading to an agreement to develop houses in Abuja for sale.

Under the proposed joint venture, Jordan was allegedly to provide the land while Garba would contribute $4.2m for the development. The arrangement involved 1.7 hectares in Guzape and 1.5 hectares in Katampe New Extension, with the proceeds from the eventual sale of the properties to be shared 60-40, with Garba receiving 60 per cent and Jordan 40 per cent.

The claimant further alleged that Apostle Associate Limited, Kano, prepared the contract on Jordan’s behalf, while Jordan provided Creekstone General Contractor Limited as the company to execute the development.

Garba alleged that he later came under pressure from Jordan and paid $2.1m for two plots he believed Jordan had the authority to provide.

According to the claimants, the money was allegedly handed over in cash at a residence in Gwarimpa, Abuja, on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Adamu Sani, Aliyu Sarki and Sai Wani.

They further alleged that Jordan was accompanied by Onor Sandy and that an acknowledgement form was completed and signed by him, with his National Identification Number and passport details attached.

Jordan rejected the account, maintaining that he neither collected the money nor signed any such document.

The claimants alleged that after the payment, Jordan became difficult to reach and that they later discovered that the land was not owned by him.

Garba said he visited the proposed sites and found another company preparing to develop the plots. He alleged that he confronted Jordan and demanded a refund, but meetings were repeatedly postponed and communication eventually broke down.

The claimants said they formally demanded a refund on October 31, 2025, without receiving a positive response, leading to the commencement of the suit.

During cross-examination, Jordan also denied knowing persons identified as Salisu and Sandy.

Asked about Sandy, he said, “I don’t know him. I didn’t collect or sign any document.”

The claimants are asking the court to order Jordan to refund the $2.1m, with 10 per cent interest from the date of judgment until liquidation.

They are also seeking N100m in damages, alleging that Jordan subjected them to “unnecessary trauma and psychological imbalances” by denying receipt of the money, as well as the cost of prosecuting the suit.

The claimants further alleged that after their attempts to recover the money failed, Garba approached Wike to complain about the transaction. Garba claimed that the minister rejected his complaint and handed him over to the police.

However, Jordan and his father have not been found liable by the court, and the allegations remain the subject of the ongoing civil proceedings.

Jordan, represented by Onoja, adopted his statement on oath denying the claims and the documents linking him to the alleged transaction.

The defence subsequently sought time to subpoena witnesses in support of its case.

With no objection from the claimants, Justice Oriji granted the request and adjourned the matter to December 1, 2 and 14, 2026, for continuation of trial.