N3Billion agric loan: judge absence stalls trial of Idumange

Yenagoa—The absence of Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah of the State High Court in Bayelsa on Monday has stalled the trial of John Idumange.

According to reports by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court registry staff informed litigants and their counsel that Justice Uzakah, will not be sitting, with no reason given.

However, court officials said that the judge had directed parties and their lawyers in the cases listed to set a new date for adjournment.

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

Recall that the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa, Biriyai Dambo, SAN, filed a suit against Idumange for misdemeanor and instigative write-ups against government officials.

It was reported that the Magistrates Court had on March 11 in Yenagoa, ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days, pending police investigation.

Idumange, a former general manager of Radio Bayelsa, made the allegations that officials of the Bayelsa government had diverted a N3 billion 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 instigative 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 aide to former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson.

The case, earlier assigned to Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, was reassigned to Justice Uzakah following a written request by the state Attorney-General to the Chief Judge of Bayelsa, Justice Kate Abiri.