NEWS
Agba Jalingo, discharged and acquitted by Court
Agba Jalingo, journalist and human rights activist accused of the alleged treasonable felony, terrorism, and cybercrime charges, has been discharged and acquitted by the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar Cross River State, presided over by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu.
Jalingo was arrested on August 22, 2019 and his trial lasted 30 months. He had alleged that N500 million belonging to the state was diverted which led to his arrest.
After suffering several adjournments, Justice Ojukwu, while relying on the provisions of section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, acquitted Jalingo, “on all four-count charges. And declared that therefore, the charges are hereby dismissed.”
John Ogban Esq, Director of Public Prosecution in Cross River State, before the ruling, told the court that the Attorney General Commissioner for Justice, Tanko Ashang had asked him to discontinue the case.
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), Jalingo’s counsel, did not object to the verbal application for the withdrawal of the case.
“We commend the Honorable Attorney General of the State for taking this decision. We are happy that our harassment has ended,” Olumide-Fusika said.
The charges preferred against Jalingo were amended several times during the course of the trial.
Speaking with journalists after the ruling, Jalingo insisted he was innocent and decried the length of time he spent in jail because of what he described as “a sham trial.”
“I knew from day one that I did not commit the offence, I knew it was just a matter of time for the court to throw the matter away.
“It’s just painful that our system is skewed in this manner where three years of my time has been wasted coming from Lagos to Calabar because of a sham trial.
“Their intention was to scare me, push me until I break. So the lesson I have learnt is that it is better to hold on. Even when at the breaking point, take a deep breath, pray to God, believe in God, and ask him to give you strength.
“I think today, the person that will really feel bad is the governor of Cross River State and those who locked me up. Wherever they are now, I think their conscience is talking to them,” Jalingo said.
