By joshua Court Adjourns Cybercrime Trial of Activist Okai Austin to November 16
The trial of political activist, Comrade Usman Okai Austin, before the Kogi State High Court has been adjourned to November 16, 2026.
The adjournment was granted by Justice A. S. Ibrahim of Court 5, shortly after the prosecution’s star witness, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade, concluded her testimony-in-chief.
Dr. Ayoade was testifying in the 16-count cybercrime charge filed by the Kogi State Government against Okai over a social media post in which he accused Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of misappropriating billions of naira belonging to local government councils and state agencies.
In her testimony, the SSG told the court that she and the people of the state woke up to what she described as a disturbing report on alleged misappropriation of funds accruing to local governments and ministries, as contained in Okai’s publication. She said the matter was discussed at the State Executive Council meeting where, as Secretary to Council, she was directed to petition the Department of State Services on the report in which Okai alleged that the state government received N13.4 billion from the World Bank and that it was spent by the Governor.
According to her, the state government only received $2,250m as against the figure alleged. She stated that she wrote a petition in respect of the report and attached all necessary documents, which was affirmed by Governor Ododo and submitted to the Director of the Department of State Services.
The documents presented by the witness were affirmed by both parties and admitted by the court as Exhibits A and B.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Okai described the charges as an attempt to silence dissenting voices, expressing confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice.
Okai, who was the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, was arrested following his social media post alleging financial misconduct against the 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, leading to his remand at the Federal Correctional Centre, Kabba.
With the adjournment, attention will shift to the cross-examination of the SSG when the court resumes.
Counsel to the defendant, T. U. Odoma, said the defence would open its cross-examination at the next adjourned date.