Court grants detained journalist Agba Jalingo bail
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday granted bail to a journalist and online media publisher, CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, in the amount of N500,000 with a similar bond sum.
Jalingo has been accused of defaming Elizabeth Ayade, wife of Frank Ayade, who is the brother of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade.
In the charge FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022, he was accused of having published an article considered as an insult to the personality of Ms. Ayade, punishable under the 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
Jalingo was specifically accused of having engaged in a false publication which was intended to annoy, curse and insult the person of Madame Ayade.
It will be recalled that the nominal complainant, Ms. Ayade, had in 2022 asked Mr. Jalingo to withdraw an article which she considered offensive.
Jalingo had in said article, questioned why Paschal Aboh, was being tried for allegedly impersonating a student at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus, identified as Ms Ayade, while the person (Ms. Ayade) who allegedly contracted it, walked free.
Angered by the publication, Ms Ayade, through her lawyer, demanded a retraction and apology to be published in two national daily newspapers and social media platforms, as well as the payment of 500 million naira as damages.
Following Ms Ayade's request, the police arrested Jalingo and later released him on administrative bail, and later preferred to bring two counts against him in the High Court.
When the proceedings resume on Thursday,
the accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
The defendant, through his team of lawyers led by Femi Falana, SAN, requested to be released on bail pending the decision of the case against him.
Lawyer for the police, Me Fidelis Ogbobe did not oppose the request.
The court granted him bail of 500,000 naira. Apart from the bond of 500,000 naira, Trial Judge Abubakar ruled that the bond must be the owner of landed property in the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge ordered that the title of said property be deposited with the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigation of the Courts.
In addition, the court ruled that the surety must also file a means test.
Adjourning the case until May 31 for trial, Judge Abubakar ruled that the defendant should remain in custody, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.< /p>
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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday granted bail to a journalist and online media publisher, CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, in the amount of N500,000 with a similar bond sum.
Jalingo has been accused of defaming Elizabeth Ayade, wife of Frank Ayade, who is the brother of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade.
In the charge FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022, he was accused of having published an article considered as an insult to the personality of Ms. Ayade, punishable under the 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
Jalingo was specifically accused of having engaged in a false publication which was intended to annoy, curse and insult the person of Madame Ayade.
It will be recalled that the nominal complainant, Ms. Ayade, had in 2022 asked Mr. Jalingo to withdraw an article which she considered offensive.
Jalingo had in said article, questioned why Paschal Aboh, was being tried for allegedly impersonating a student at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus, identified as Ms Ayade, while the person (Ms. Ayade) who allegedly contracted it, walked free.
Angered by the publication, Ms Ayade, through her lawyer, demanded a retraction and apology to be published in two national daily newspapers and social media platforms, as well as the payment of 500 million naira as damages.
Following Ms Ayade's request, the police arrested Jalingo and later released him on administrative bail, and later preferred to bring two counts against him in the High Court.
When the proceedings resume on Thursday,
the accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
The defendant, through his team of lawyers led by Femi Falana, SAN, requested to be released on bail pending the decision of the case against him.
Lawyer for the police, Me Fidelis Ogbobe did not oppose the request.
The court granted him bail of 500,000 naira. Apart from the bond of 500,000 naira, Trial Judge Abubakar ruled that the bond must be the owner of landed property in the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge ordered that the title of said property be deposited with the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigation of the Courts.
In addition, the court ruled that the surety must also file a means test.
Adjourning the case until May 31 for trial, Judge Abubakar ruled that the defendant should remain in custody, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.< /p>
Please share this story:
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