By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Upper Area Court 11 in Jalingo has adjourned till August 5, 2026 for the adoption of final witnesses in a N300 million suit instituted by Mr. Isa Jibril against a Taraba-based businessman and journalist, Mr. Gabriel Olayinka, over alleged criminal breach of trust and fraud.
People’s Daily reports that Mr. Olayinka has been in detention at the Jalingo Correctional Centre since January 2026.
The court had earlier ordered the managers of Zenith Bank PLC Jalingo branch, Globus Bank, and Opay Microfinance Bank to appear and tender statements of account belonging to Taraba Business School, a business centre owned by Mr. Olayinka.
At the last sitting, both Zenith Bank and Globus Bank complied and tendered the subpoenaed documents.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. D. G. Tukura, told the court that the bank statements were foundational to his case, and that the absence of Opay had made it difficult for him to proceed.
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday, the trial judge, Hon. Lawan Jika, informed the court that counsel to the defendant, Barr. P. D. Pius, had written to the court seeking an adjournment to 2:00 PM to enable him attend to matters at the Federal High Court.
When the court resumed at 2:00 PM, representatives of Opay Microfinance Bank also appeared and tendered the required documents in compliance with the court order.
Barr. P. D. Pius of P. D. Pius and Associates then prayed the court to allow him to cross-examine the witness, arguing that having taken the oath, the bank official had become a witness for all parties.
However, counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. D. G. Tukura, opposed the application. He argued that the law is clear that a witness summoned to tender documents under subpoena cannot be cross-examined, even after being sworn in.
The trial judge upheld the submission of the plaintiff’s counsel and discharged the witness from the box.
The court was unable to take the testimony of the final witness, who is also the complainant, due to the close of official working hours.
Hon. Jika adjourned the matter to August 5, 2026 for continuation of hearing and the adoption of final witnesses.
