Bayelsa govt abandons trial of whistleblower, John Idumange

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa government has abandoned the prosecution of John Idumange, who in 2021, raised an alarm over the alleged diversion of N3 billion Agriculture loan by government officials.

Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah of the State High Court in Yenagoa had struck out the suit which he inherited from Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the State High Court.

It will be recalled that the Bayelsa government on April 4, 2023, refiled the case before Justice Iniekade Eradiri at the Bayelsa High Court.

It was learnt from court registry officials on Tuesday that Justice Eradiri had also struck out the case following several adjournments due to a lack of interest by the prosecution to pursue the case.

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

It would be recalled that a Magistrates’ Court had on March 11, 2021, in Yenagoa, ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days, pending police investigation.

Idumange, who alleged 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, 2021.

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 in Research and Documentation and later social media 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 then Chief Judge of Bayelsa, Late Justice Kate Abiri.