Alleged N3bn loan diversion: Court adjourns trial of Whistleblower to July 29

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

A High Court in Bayelsa, on Monday 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 government officials to July 29.

The court had on July 19 issued a bench warrant authorising the arrest of a Idumange, whose Counsel Ebikebuna Aluzu had informed the court that the defendant was involved in a traffic crash which resulted to Idumange’s admission ib 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 Defense Counsel had furnished the courts evidence that Idumange was injured and hospitalised.

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.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Bayelsa, Biriyai Sambo, SAN, sued Idumange for misdemeanor and seditious publications against government officials, who Idumange accused of diverting the loan.

Magistrates’ Court had on March 11 in Yenagoa, ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days pending Police investigation.

Idumang, who alleged that officials of Bayelsa government diverted a N3 billion Agric loan, was arrested on March 10 and charged to court the next day.

Some officials of the Bayelsa government had reported to the Police that Idumange had 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 Gov. Seriake Dickson.

The case earlier assigned to Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro was reassigned to Justice Uzakah.