A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted bail to a detained journalist, Agba Jalingo to the tune of N500,000, with one surety in like sum. The presiding judge, Zainab Abubakar stated that the surety must own a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the title deed of the said property must be submitted to the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigations. The case was adjourned till May 31 for trial and Jalingo is expected to remain in prison custody, pending the perfection of his bail conditions which was filed by his team of lawyers, led by Femi Falana (SAN).
In 2022, Jalingo was accused of publishing an article in the online news outlet, Cross River Watch, where he allegedly defamed the character of Elizabeth Ayade, the sister-in-law to the governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.
In the court suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022, Jalingo’s article was considered an insult to the personality of Mrs. Ayade which is punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Preventions, Etc) Act, 2015.
Jalingo pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge filed against him during his arraignment on Monday, March 27.
More details later.
