Court Abolishes Cybercrime Suit Against Journalist

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Mr. Agba Jalingo in celebration mood.

A case bordering on cybercrime filed against Agba Jalingo, CrossRiverWatch publisher, was on Monday cast off by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Jalingo, was on August 19, 2022, arrested by the police at his Lagos residence and was taken to Abuja.

He was arrested following a petition filed by Elizabeth, wife of Frank Ayade, alleging defamation of character.

Frank is the brother of Ben Ayade, former Governor of Cross River State.

Jalingo was in March 2023, remanded in prison after he was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on false publication against Elizabeth.

The publisher pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The offences were said to be in contravention of section 24(1)b of the Cybercrimes (prohibition, prevention, etc) Act 2015.

At the court session on Monday, Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, dismissed the case against Jalingo.

In 2019, Jalingo was arrested and arraigned after he published a story on how Ayade allegedly approved and diverted N500 million meant for the state’s microfinance bank.

Jalingo was charged with conspiracy, terrorism, treasonable felony, and an attempt to topple the State Government.

He was granted bail after 174 days in detention.

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