Journalist remanded in prison over publication against Gov Ayede's brother's wife

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*Agba Jalingo


(Nigeria) A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday, ordered the remanded of a journalist and publisher of an online news outlet, CrossRiverWatch, Mr. Agba Jalingo, in Kuje prison custody, accused of publishing an article that disparaged one Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade,  wife of the younger brother of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State.

Jalingo, who is a frontline critic of the governor Ayade's administration, was accused of engaging in false publication that was intended to cause annoyance, ill will and insult to the person of Mrs. Ayade.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Trial judge, Justice Zainab Abubakar remanded Jalingo at Kuje prison.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge brought against him by the police.

The charge is punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.

Meanwhile, following his arraignment, the prosecution applied for a trial date, which was not opposed by the defence counsel.

Jalingo was alleged to have in the article, challenged why a suspended staff of the University of Calabar, Paschal Aboh, was facing trial for allegedly impersonating a student of the Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus identified as Mrs. Ayade, while the person (Mrs Ayade) that allegedly contracted him, remained free.

Mrs Ayade had demanded a retraction and an apology to be published in two national dailies and social media platforms, as well as the payment of N500million to her as damages, but following Mrs. Ayade's petition, Police arrested Jalingo and later released him on administrative bail, before he was charged to court and ordered to be remanded in prison custody.

Meanwhile, hearing in his bail application comes up March 30, 2023.

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