Court grants Agba Jalingo N500k bail in alleged cybercrime trial

A federal high court in Abuja has granted bail to Agba Jalingo, publisher of CrossRiverWatch.

Zainab Abubakar, the trial judge, admitted Jalingo on bail with a bond of N500,000 and one surety in like sum, on Thursday.

On Monday, Jalingo was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on false publication against Elizabeth, wife of Frank Ayade.

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

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.

The trial judge remanded Jalingo at the medium-security custodial centre in Kuje.

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

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

Twenty-four hours later, Jalingo was released from police custody.

At Thursday’s hearing, Femi Falana, counsel to Jalingo, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail in liberal terms.

According to CrossRiverWatch, Fidelis Ogbobe, the prosecution counsel, did not oppose the bail application.

Ruling on the bail application, Abubakar said Jalingo’s surety must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and the property documents must be deposited with the deputy registrar of the court.

The trial judge ruled that Jalingo would remain in prison until his bail conditions are met.