Yenagoa—Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah of the Bayelsa State High Court, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of John Idumange, a former General Manager of the state Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Bayelsa), Punchng.com reports.
He gave the order on Monday, in Yenagoa, after the prosecuting counsel, E. S. Obed, made an oral application that John Idumange has been absent in court to defend the charges against him.
His defense counsel, Ebikebuna Aluzu, told the judge that his client had an accident on his way to court, but the judge insisted that John Idumange be produced in court on the adjourned date.
The case was adjourned till July 26, 2021.
Mangrovepen.ng gathered that John Idumange, who served as an aide to former governor Seriake Dickson is on trial for accusing some state officials of diverting N3bn agriculture loan of the Central Bank of Nigeria given to the state.
He was sued by the Bayelsa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biriyai Dambo, SAN, for alleged misdemeanour and seditious publications.
On March 11, 2021, a magistrate court in Yenagoa, ordered the former Radio Bayelsa manager’s detention for 30 days pending a police investigation.
