Taraba journalist’s N300m alleged fraud case adjourned to Aug 5

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Upper Area Court 11 in Jalingo, Taraba state has adjourned the alleged N300 million fraud and criminal breach of trust suit against Taraba-based businessman and journalist, Mr. Gabriel Olayinka, to August 5, 2026.
The adjournment is to allow for the continuation of the hearing and the adoption of final witnesses.
The civil suit, instituted by Mr. Isa Jibril, has seen Mr. Olayinka remanded at the Jalingo Correctional Centre since January 2026.
The court had previously ordered the Jalingo branch managers of Zenith Bank PLC, Globus Bank, and Opay Microfinance Bank to produce financial records for “Taraba Business School,” a commercial venture owned by the defendant.
While Zenith Bank and Globus Bank complied during the preceding sitting, the plaintiff’s counsel, Barr. D. G. Tukura, had noted that Opay’s initial absence stalled proceedings, as the financial statements are foundational to the plaintiff’s case.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, the trial judge, Hon. Lawan Jika, initially pushed the sitting to 2:00 PM following a written request from defense counsel, Barr. P. D. Pius, who was attending to a matter at the Federal High Court.
Upon resumption, representatives from Opay Microfinance Bank appeared and successfully tendered the subpoenaed financial documents.
Following the presentation of the documents, a brief legal debate ensued regarding court procedures.
The Defense’s Argument: Barr. P. D. Pius argued that since the Opay official had taken an oath to present the documents, they had effectively become a witness available for cross-examination by all parties.
Barr. D. G. Tukura opposed the request, counter-arguing that under the law, a witness summoned strictly to tender documents via a subpoena cannot be subjected to cross-examination, regardless of whether they were sworn in.
Hon. Lawan Jika upheld the objection of the plaintiff’s counsel and subsequently discharged the bank representative from the witness box.
Due to the close of official working hours, the court was unable to take the testimony of the final witness, who is also the complainant, Mr. Isa Jibril. Hon. Jika subsequently deferred the matter to August 5, 2026, for the conclusion of the plaintiff’s evidence.