Alleged N3bn Loan Diversion: Court adjourns trial of Whistleblower to July 29
Alleged N3bn Loan Diversion: Court adjourns trial of Whistleblower to July 29
By Eloyi Matthew
A High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital has adjourned the trial of former General Manager of Radio Bayelsa, John Idumange, who raised an alarm over alleged diversion of N3 billion Agric loan by some government officials to July 29.
It was earlier reported that the court had on July 19 issued a bench warrant authorizing the arrest of an Idumange, whose Counsel Ebikebuna Aluzu had informed the court that the defendant was involved in a traffic crash which resulted in Idumange’s admission in hospital.
Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah, who adjourned the matter until Thursday, July 29 told the prosecuting team led by Mrs Iyobososa Apulu, Director of Public Prosecution in Bayelsa that the Defense Counsel had furnished the court’s evidence that Idumange was injured and hospitalized.
Although Apulu said that the hospital records were yet to be served on prosecution, the trial judge urged both counsels to appear before him on July 29 to examine the medical records.
Some officials of the Bayelsa government had reported to the Police that Idumange had made seditious publications that maligned their persons in his claims.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Bayelsa, Biriyai Sambo, SAN, sued Idumange for misdemeanour and seditious publications against government officials, who Idumange accused of diverting the loan.
A Magistrate Court had on March 11 in Yenagoa, ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days pending a Police investigation.
Idumange, who alleged that officials of the Bayelsa government diverted an N3 billion Agric loan, was arrested on March 10 and charged to court the next day.
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 Gov. Seriake Dickson.
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The case earlier assigned to Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro was reassigned to Justice Uzakah.
Alleged N3bn Loan Diversion: Court adjourns trial of Whistleblower to July 29
