JALINGO: Court To Decide Bail Application For Detained Journalist 4th October

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, has fixed Friday ,October 4th , 2019 for ruling on the bail application for right activist cum journalist , Comrade Agba Jalingo

 

Presiding Judge, Justice Simon Amobeda ,while  presiding over the case, will also rule on the preliminary objection on the bail application filed by the prosecution counsel, Mr Dennis Tarhemba.

 

Jalingo  is being prosecuted for publishing a report against Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River over alleged approved and immediately diverted N500m meant for Cross River State Microfinance bank.

 

Jalingo is also facing trial for alleged treason and attempt to topple the state government.

 

The judge fixed the date after listening to argument of both the prosecution and defence counsels.

 

Counsel,  to the defendant Mr James Ibor, in a chat with newsmen said  he was happy with the proceedings of the day as he was optimistic that Jalingo would be granted bail in line with the rule of law and respect for his rights.

 

Ibor said: “I am very impressed that finally the court had taken our application for bail.

 

“We can only be hopeful that it will go our way. The issue of bail is at the discretion of the court.”

 

Jalingo spent 34 days in police detention before he was arraigned on September 25, 2019.

 

He has since been remanded in prison custody following an order of the court.