The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Zainab Abubakar has admitted Nigerian Journalist and Activist, Citizen Agba Jalingo on bail for allegedly “insulting” Mrs. Elizabeth Alami Ayade.
He is alleged to have committed an offense punishable by Section 24 (1)b of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022. The said two count charges, preferred on him, bordering on false publication intended to cause, “annoyance, ill will and insult,” on the person of Mrs Frank Ayade.
Truth Live News had earlier reported that Jalingo who had pleaded not guilty on Monday was remanded at the Medium Security Custodial Center Kuje in Abuja.
Moving the motion for bail, rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, prayed the Court to admit the defendant to Court in liberal terms especially, as the prosecution did not oppose the bail application by filing a Counter Affidavit.
The prosecution counsel Fidelis Ogbobe Esq, however, said they were not objecting to the bail application.
Justice Abubakar who said having perused through the application especially paragraphs 10 to 15, 17, and 18 of the affidavit in support of the motion,subsequently admitted Citizen Jalingo to bail with a bond of N500,000 and one surety in like sum.
The Judge said the surety must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court of which the titled documents must be deposited with the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigations of the Courts.
The surety must depose to an affidavit of means before the Deputy Registrar, litigations of the Court.
However, she ruled that the CrossRiverWatch CEO and publisher will remain remanded until his bail conditions are met.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Falana SAN thanked the Court’s decision to admit the Journalist to bail as well as remanding him in one of the best prisons in the country.
The case was adjourned until May 31, 2023, for trial.