ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE
A State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State has adjourned until July 19, 2021 the trial of a former General Manager of Radio Bayelsa, Mr John Idumange, over allegation that government officials diverted N3b agric loan meant for farmers.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa, Biriyai Sambo (SAN), sued Idumange for misdemeanour and seditious publication against government officials, whom he (Idumange) accused of diverting the loan.
Justice Iniekenimi Uzakah fixed the date after counsel for the defendant, Mr Ebikebuna Aluzu, who was summoned for fresh arraignment, told the court that the defendant was already on bail and was on his way to court.
Reacting to the assertion by Aluzu that the defendant was on bail, the trial judge said that the defendant was summoned for arraignment to take his plea and subsequently adjourned the case for plea and hearing.
A magistrates’ court in Yenagoa had on March 11, 2021ordered Idumange’s detention for 30 days pending police investigation.
Idumange, who alleged that officials of Bayelsa State government diverted the N3b agriculture loan, was arrested on March 10 and charged 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 to former Governor Seriake Dickson on Research and Documentation and later Social Media.
The case earlier assigned to Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro was reassigned to Justice Uzakah.