Police arrested Jalingo and later released him on administrative bail, and subsequently preferred a two-count charge against him before the high court.
By Jeffrey Agbo
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of N500,000 to journalist, Agba Jalingo, following his arraignment for allegedly defaming Elizabeth Ayade, wife of Frank Ayade, who is the brother of Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.
The court also ruled on Thursday that he is to produce one surety in like sum.
Mr Jalingo, who is the publisher of an online news outlet, CrossRiverWatch, was accused of publishing an article that was considered an insult to Mrs Ayade’s personality which is punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
The nominal complainant, Mrs Ayade, had in 2022 asked Jalingo to retract an article which she considered offensive.
Jalingo, in the said article, questioned why Paschal Aboh, was facing trial for allegedly impersonating a student of the Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus identified as Mrs Ayade, while the person (Mrs Ayade) that allegedly contracted him, walked free.
Angered by the publication, Mrs Ayade, through her lawyer, demanded a retraction and an apology to be published in two national dailies and social media platforms, as well as the payment of N500 million to her as damages.
Following Mrs Ayade’s petition, Police arrested Jalingo and later released him on administrative bail, and subsequently preferred a two-count charge against him before the high court.
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At the resumed proceedings on Thursday, the defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.
Jalingo, through his team of lawyers led by Femi Falana, SAN, applied to be released on bail pending the determination of the case against him.
Police lawyer, Fidelis Ogbobe did not oppose the application.
The court granted Jalingo bail to the tune of N500,000. Aside from the N500,000 bail bond, Justice Abubakar held that the surety must be an owner of a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge ordered that the title deed of the said property must be deposited with the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigations of the Courts.
The court also ruled that the surety must also depose an affidavit of means.
Adjourning the case till May 31 for trial, Justice Abubakar held that the defendant should remain in prison custody, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.