Court dismisses cybercrime case against Agba Jalingo

A federal high court in Abuja has dismissed a case bordering on cybercrime filed against Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch.

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

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

Frank is the brother of Ben Ayade, former governor of Cross River state.

In March 2023, Jalingo was 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 contravene 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.

PREVIOUS COURT CASE

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.

After 174 days in detention, he was granted bail.