Cybercrime: Detained Journalist, Agba Jalingo Regains Freedom After One Week In Prison

Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, is now free again after spending a week in the medium-security detention facility in Kuje, Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory.

According to CrossRiverWatch, Jalingo was released on Monday after being placed under house arrest by Judge Zainab Abubakar of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for allegedly committing cybercrimes.

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Citizen Jalingo was docked last week Monday on charges bordering on false publication intended to cause, “annoyance, ill will and insult,” on the person of Mrs. Ayade, wife of Mr. Frank Ayade, who is the younger brother of Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade.

The journalist was alleged to have committed offences punishable by Section 24 (1)b of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015, Court documents in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022 show.

Jalingo, through his team of lawyers led by Femi Falana, SAN, last Thursday, applied to be released on bail pending the determination of the case against him.

The application was not opposed by Mr. Fidelis Ogbobe, the police lawyer.

His bail was set at N500,000 by the court. Trial Judge Abubakar ruled that the surety must be the owner of a landed property within the FCT in addition to the N500,000 bail bond.

The judge mandated that the title deed for the aforementioned property be filed with the Deputy Registrar overseeing court proceedings.