The publisher of CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, has regained freedom after one week at the medium-security custodial centre in Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Jalingo was released on Monday after being remanded in prison by Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for alleged acts of cybercrime.
Citizen Jalingo was docked last week Monday on charges bordering on false publication intended to cause, “annoyance, ill will and insult,” on the person of Mrs. Ayade, wife of Mr. Frank Ayade, who is the younger brother of Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade.
The journalist was alleged to have committed offences punishable by Section 24 (1)b of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015, Court documents in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022 show.
Jalingo, through his team of lawyers led by Femi Falana, SAN, last Thursday, applied to be released on bail pending the determination of the case against him.
Police lawyer, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, did not oppose the application.
The court granted him bail to the tune of N500,000. Aside from the N500,000 bail bond, trial Justice Abubakar held that the surety must be an owner of a landed property within the FCT.
The judge ordered that the title deed of the said property must be deposited with the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigations of the court.
