Group slams Cross River govt for treating detained journalist Jalingo like a criminal

The Cross River State Government and the state security agencies have been condemned for treating detained journalist based in the state, Aba Jalingo as a common criminal.

Rights advocacy group, Nigerians Unite Against Terror, took a swipe at concerned authorities over what it said, were trumped-up charges, against Jalingo and also demanded a halt to the moves to nail the pen-pusher as it demanded justice.

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, convener (NUAT), in a statement on Friday, said she was convinced of the principles of freedom of information, the confidentiality of one’s source of information in investigative journalism, truth, liberty, respect for the human rights of all and rule of law as the ingredients of a peaceful and progressive nation.

She said; “We wish to state that such cruel treatment of Mr Jalingo is a conspicuous affront to human dignity in any civilised clime.

“We, therefore, demand a halt to the orchestrated charade that has flowed so far from the trumped-up charges against Jalingo as we demand justice.

“An accused person is presumed innocent under our law until proved otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.

“Jalingo should not be treated as a criminal when he has not been found guilty of any offence.”