By Terna Chikpa
The Upper Area Court II sitting in Jalingo has fixed July 2, 2026, for definite hearing in the case involving Mr. Gabriel Olayinka, a Taraba-based journalist standing trial over alleged criminal breach of trust brought against him by Mr. Isa Jubri.
When the matter came up for hearing, the prosecuting counsel, Barr. D.G. Tukura, applied to the court for the production of bank documents, including statements of account from three different banks, and requested that key witnesses be made available to testify.
However, counsel to the defendant, Barr. Longs Lugnan, argued that the prosecution had consistently failed to present substantial witnesses to support its case, thereby causing unnecessary delays in the proceedings while his client remained in detention.
Barr. Lugnan, of P.D. Pius and Associates, urged the court to accelerate the hearing of the matter, noting that the case had lingered for an extended period without substantive progress.
The trial judge, Hon. Lawan Jika, agreed with the submission of the defence counsel and subsequently fixed July 2, 2026, for definite hearing.
Meanwhile, at the State High Court in Jalingo, an application seeking a review of the defendant’s bail conditions was also mentioned.
The prosecuting counsel, Barr. D.G. Tukura, requested more time to enable him respond to the application filed by the defence.
Barr. Tukura informed the court that he had been unable to prepare his response due to technical challenges affecting his work device.
Following the request, the court adjourned the matter until July 6, 2026, for hearing on the application for review of the bail conditions.
