Bayelsa refiles case against whistleblower who accused state of ‘N3bn loan diversion’

The Bayelsa government has refiled a suit against John Idumange, a whistleblower, who accused the state of diverting N3 billion agriculture loan.

Idumange had alleged that state officials diverted the agric loan and submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was later arrested on March 10, 2021, and brought before a magistrate the next day.

The magistrate court ordered his remand for 30 days, pending police investigation.

The case was then moved to the state high court and assigned to Ebiyerin Omukoro, a judge.

Following a request by Biriyai Sambo, the state attorney general, the matter was reassigned to Iniekenimi Uzakah who later struck out the case.

However, the state attorney-general went on to file fresh charges against Idumange.

At the court session on Tuesday, the case came up before Iniekade Eradiri, the presiding judge.

John Prosper, prosecution counsel, apologised for the absence of the defendant.

Prosper told the court that the defendant travelled out of the country for a short course after the case was initially struck out. 

”He was not aware that the case had been re-filed and I heard he will be returning to the country by end of June. I appeal to the court to give reasonable time,” he said.

“The adjournment will allow the prosecution to put its house in order and produce the defendant for arraignment to take his plea.”

Idumange who was also an aide to Seriake Dickson, former Bayelsa governor, is facing charges bordering on misdemeanour and seditious publications against government officials.