Federal High court grants journalist, Agba Jalingo, N10m bail

Justice Sule Shuaibu of the Federal High court in Calabar, Cross River State, has granted the bail application of journalist and rights activist, Agba Jalingo.

Agba who is the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22nd 2019, over a report alleging that Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the state. He is standing trial on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony and attempt to topple the Cross River State government.

While ruling on his bail application, Justice Shuaibu set the bail bond at N10 million with one surety in like sum. The judge ruled that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and his address must be physically verified. Also, he must show means that he will be able to forfeit the bail bond.

”The surety is expected to deposit N700,000 cash with the registrar of the court who will then pay it into an interest yielding account with a commercial bank” while Jalingo must seek the permission of court to travel out of the country if he wants to travel.

Agba Jalingo must deposed to an oath that he will be available in court while he and his surety must present two passport photographs.”

Last week, the Cross River State government took over prosecution of the matter despite denying allegations that the Governor, Benedict Ayade, was behind Jalingo’s ordeal. The trial had drawn local and international attention with several individuals and organisations demanding his unconditional release.