Alleged N3b Loan Diversion; Whistleblower Trial Stalled

 

The trial of John Idumange, who raised an alarm over alleged diversion of three billion naira Agriculture loan by government officials in Bayelsa state has stalled  due to the absence of Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah of the Bayelsa State High Court 

The court registry staff informed litigants and their counsel that the judge would not be sitting, without giving reason for the absence of the judge.

He said that the judge had directed parties and their lawyers in the cases listed to pick a new date for adjournment.

The court clerks subsequently fixed Feb 1, for continuation of trial following agreement by Director of Public Prosecution in Bayelsa Mrs Iyobol Apulu and Defence Counsel Mr Ebikebuna Aluzu.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Sambo, SAN, filed a suit against Idumange for misdemeanour and seditious publications against government officials.

Idumange, who alleged that officials of Bayelsa government had diverted a three billion naira Agric loan and subsequently submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was arrested on March 10.

Some officials of the state government, reported to the police that Idumange, made seditious publications that maligned their persons in his claims.

However, the State High Court, Sagbama Division, granted bail to Idumange, who was also an aide on Research and Documentation and later Social Media to former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson.