Admin l Wednesday, October 30, 2019
CALABAR, Cross River – A Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar today dismissed bail application for journalist and Publisher Crossriverwatch.com Mr. Agba Jalingo.
Agba Jalingo has been in detention since August 22, 2019 when he was arrested in Lagos and driven by road to Calabar, Cross River State and thereafter charged with treasonable felony and for inciting the people of the state against Governor Ben Ayade through his articles.
The matter which has severally been adjourned today came up for hearing before Justice Simon Amobeda.
Justice Simon Amobeda who adjourned sitting twice, first for 10 minutes and later till noon resumed only to dismiss application for bail filed by lawyer to the incacerated journalist.
Counsel to the prosecution, Dennis Tarhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police had asked the court to adjourn after Agba Jalingo took his plea. But Adeyinka Olumide-fusika, SAN leading the defence team apposed prosecution’s application and prayed the court to grant Agba Jalingo bail.
Justice Simon Amobeda ruled that the authorities cited by the defense counsel existed before the administration of criminal justice act was signed into law, stressing that the circumstances do not warrant granting bail to Agba Jalingo and adjourned the matter to November 5th and 6th for continuation of hearing.
