Judge’s absence halts trial of ‘whistle blower’ over alleged diversion of N3bn

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The absence of a trial judge on Friday stalled the trial of Dr John Idumange, who raised the alarm over the alleged diversion of N3 billion agriculture loan by the Bayelsa State government officials.

The court registry employee, Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah, who had on Sept 10 adjourned the matter until Oct 15, 2021, said the judge was unable to sit because he was having a meeting with Bayelsa Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri.

The court clerks subsequently shifted the trial date to November 22.

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

A magistrates’ court had on March 11 in Yenagoa, ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days, pending the police investigation.

Idumange, who alleged that the officials of the Bayelsa State 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 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 Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson.

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