Alleged N3bn diversion: Absence of ‘whistleblower’s stalls case

The absence of John Idumange, who raised an alarm over alleged diversion of N3 billion Agriculture loan by government officials was on Monday stalled in a High Court in Yenogoa.

When the case came up, the Prosecution Counsel, Mrs Iyobosa Apulu expressed disappointment over the absence of the defendant inspite of a bench warrant issued to compel him to appear in court.

Apulu, who is the Director of Public Prosecution in Bayelsa noted that Idumange resorted to frequent change of counsel as a ploy to delay trial.

He urged the court to take steps to execute the bench warrant.

Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah subsequently asked Apulu and Defence Counsel Mr Ebikebuna Aluzu to pick a date for Idumange to take his plea for the trial to make progress.

Uzakah adjourned until March 23.

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.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports 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 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 on Research and Documentation and later Social Media to former Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson.

NAN reports that 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.