By Terna Chikpa
The Upper Area Court II, Jalingo, on Friday adjourned until August 5, 2026, for the continuation of hearing and adoption of the final witness in the N300 million suit filed by Mr. Isa Jibril against Taraba-based businessman and journalist, Mr. Gabriel Olayinka, over alleged criminal breach of trust and fraud.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that Mr. Olayinka has been in detention at the Jalingo Correctional Centre since January 2026.
The newspaper further reports that 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 relating to Taraba Business School, a business outfit owned by Mr. Olayinka. During the previous sitting, Zenith Bank and Globus Bank complied with the court’s subpoena by tendering the required documents.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. D.G. Tukura, had argued that the bank documents were crucial to proving his client’s case, adding that the absence of OPay at the previous sitting had prevented him from proceeding.
When the matter came up on Friday, the trial judge, Hon. Lawan Jika, informed the court that counsel to the defendant, P.D. Pius, had requested that the matter be stood down until 2:00 p.m. to enable him attend to a case at the Federal High Court.
When proceedings resumed at the scheduled time, representatives of OPay Microfinance Bank appeared and tendered the requested documents in compliance with the court’s order.
Counsel to the defendant, P.D. Pius, of P.D. Pius & Associates, prayed the court to allow him to cross-examine the OPay representative, arguing that having taken the oath, the witness was subject to cross-examination.
However, counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. D.G. Tukura, opposed the application, contending that under the law, a witness who appears solely to tender documents in compliance with a subpoena cannot be cross-examined, notwithstanding that the witness had been sworn in.
The trial judge upheld the plaintiff’s argument and discharged the witness.
The court, however, could not take the testimony of the complainant, who is the final witness, due to the close of official court hours.
Justice Jika subsequently adjourned the matter until August 5, 2026, for the continuation of hearing and adoption of the final witness.
