Court discharges criminal case against Taraba-based journalist Olayinka Gabriel

From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

The Upper Area Court No. 7 sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State, has struck out the criminal case against Taraba-based journalist and businessman Mr Gabriel Olayinka.

The presiding judge, Hon. Lawan Jika, in his ruling said the matter was civil in nature and ought not to have been instituted as a criminal case, in line with a preliminary objection filed by counsel for the defendant challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

Speaking after the proceedings, defence counsel Barrister L. Takoq, from P.D. Pius & Co. Chambers, said the defence had brought a preliminary objection before the court challenging its jurisdiction on several grounds.

He explained that another ground of the objection was that the case was originally filed before a Chief Magistrate Court but was subsequently handled by an Upper Area Court, raising questions regarding the jurisdiction of the court.

During the proceedings, counsel for the complainant, Barrister D. G. Tukuri, consented to the preliminary objection specifically on the ground that the case was initially filed before the Chief Magistrate Court.

Delivering his ruling, Hon. Lawan Jika noted that a preliminary objection had been raised challenging the jurisdiction of the court and that counsel for the complainant had consented to the objection on the issue concerning the original filing of the case before the Chief Magistrate Court.

Our correspondent recalls that the case was initiated following a complaint by Mr Danladi Jibrin, who alleged that Olayinka was involved in criminal breach of trust and cheating relating to a financial transaction reportedly involving approximately ₦300 million and connected to Taraba Business School and other business activities.

Olayinka had consistently denied the allegations and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.

The matter had attracted public attention, particularly because of the period Olayinka spent in custody and the financial allegations at the centre of the case.