Journalist Jalingo remanded for ‘insulting’ Ayade’s relative

Agba Jalingo, a journalist and publisher of the online platform CrossRiverWatch, has been remanded in the Medium Security Custodial Center in Kuje by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Jalingo has been accused of publishing an article that was deemed “insulting” to Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade, the wife of the younger brother of the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade. Jalingo’s Cross River Watch has been critical of the administration of Ben Ayade.

Jalingo was arraigned on two charges of alleged false publication intended to cause annoyance, ill will, and insult to the person of Mrs. Ayade. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

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The prosecution counsel sought an adjournment for trial, which the defense counsel did not oppose but requested the matter be stood down as the lead counsel was on his way. The defense plea was opposed by the prosecution counsel, citing Section 354 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

Jalingo was subsequently remanded in custody, and the matter was adjourned until March 30, 2023, for the court to take the bail application of the defendant, and May 31, 2023, for trial.

The charges against Jalingo were originally initiated by Mrs. Ayade’s demand that he retract an article and apologize in two national dailies, including Facebook, Instagram, and Cross River Watch, and pay NGN500 million in damages.

When Jalingo failed to comply, police operatives arrested him at his residence in Lagos State. The police later abandoned the criminal defamation allegation and opted to sue Jalingo for alleged cybercrime in January 2023.