By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – 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 rulling said that 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 the counsel to 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 that 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 being handled by an Upper Area Court, raising questions regarding the jurisdiction of the court.
During the proceedings, counsel to the complainant, Barrister D. G. Tukuri, consented to the preliminary objection specifically on the grounds 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 to the complainant had consented to the objection on the issue concerning the original filing of the case before the Chief Magistrate Court.
Our Correspondent recall 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.
