The Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has adjourned the cybercrime case filed by the Kogi State Government against human rights activist Austin Okai to November 16, 2026. The case relates to alleged social media publications by Okai accusing the Kogi State Government of diverting ₦13.4 billion in funds meant for local governments in the state. The adjournment was made to allow for the cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade, the Secretary to the Kogi State Government.
The case came up before Justice A.S. Ibrahim, with counsel to the Kogi State Government, McDonald Kurere, announcing the presence of the prosecution's star witness. However, defence counsel Blessing Akpala requested a 30-minute stand-down due to the absence of the lead defence counsel, Odoma Uwodi, who was attending to another matter in a nearby court. The prosecution opposed the request, citing Ayoade's important state assignment, but later relented when Uwodi arrived in court and explained the reason for his delayed appearance.
Ayoade took an oath before the court, affirming that her evidence would be truthful. She testified that she received calls from friends and residents about a social media report alleging that the state government had misappropriated funds. The allegation was discussed at a State Executive Council meeting, and the council, under Governor Usman Ododo, directed her to petition the Department of State Services, DSS. Ayoade said she was disturbed about the trend and that the government allegedly diverted funds meant for local governments.
According to Ayoade, the social media publication allegedly attributed to Okai and two others accused the state government of receiving and diverting ₦13.4 billion said to be World Bank funds. However, Ayoade told the court that the fund she knew about was connected to the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes, ACRESAL, project. She stated that the state received $2.25 million under the project and that she wrote a petition to the DSS with relevant documents attached, which was endorsed by Governor Ododo.
Ayoade identified the petition through the official letterhead of her office, her signature, and that of the state government. The prosecution counsel, Kurere, requested that the document be admitted into evidence, which was not opposed by the defence. The prosecution subsequently requested that Ayoade's cross-examination be deferred due to an official function she was expected to attend on behalf of the state government.
The defence counsel, Uwodi, did not oppose the application, and both parties agreed to November 16, 2026, for the cross-examination of Ayoade. Okai, who was the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, was arrested following his social media publication alleging financial misconduct against the Kogi State Government. His arrest followed an investigation by the Department of State Services, which had earlier obtained a remand order from Magistrate Mopah Abdullahi of Chief Magistrate Court 1, Lokoja.
Okai described the case as an attempt to silence dissenting voices and expressed confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice. He was remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Kabba, after his arrest. The case has been adjourned to November 16, 2026, for the cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness.
Key points
- The Kogi State High Court has adjourned the cybercrime case against Austin Okai to November 16, 2026.
- The case relates to alleged social media publications by Okai accusing the Kogi State Government of diverting ₦13.4 billion in funds meant for local governments.
- The prosecution's star witness, Dr Folashade Arike Ayoade, will be cross-examined on November 16, 2026.
