Judge send Journalist to Kuje prison over absence of lawyer in court

Citizen Agba Jalingo, a Nigerian Journalist, has been placed on remand at the medium security detention facility in Kuje by a Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, presided over by Justice Zainab Abubakar, for allegedly publishing an article that was “insulting” to Mrs. Elizabeth Frank Ayade, the wife of the younger brother of Governor Ben Ayade.

In the case number FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022, Citizen Jalingo was accused of two crimes relating to false publication designed to “annoy, ill will, and insult” on the person of Mrs. Ayade, the wife of Mr. Frank Ayade.

Section 24 (1)b of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act of 2015 is said to have been violated by him, Ogunwatch gathered.

He entered a not guilty plea to both allegations after being arraigned on Monday.

Shortly after, the lead attorney, Marshal Abubakar Esq, was said to be on his way, so the defense attorney, F. Baba Isa, appealed for the case to be stood down.

In opposition to the application, Mr. Ogbobe cited Section 354 of the 2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which states that when parties are called, the court must proceed with the case at hand.

He requested the court to disregard the defense, saying that “the excuse is a calculated attempt to postpone the arraignment.”

However, Isa argued that the defendant should not be punished for the Counsel’s transgressions in the name of justice. Justice Abubakar, however, gave in to the prosecution’s demands and denied the application.

According to Justice Abubakar’s records, Mr. Abubakar wasn’t in court. When Mr. Abubakar showed up, she rejected the defense’s attempt to submit a motion for bail.

She then set the matter for adjournment until March 30th, 2023, so that the court could consider the defendant’s motion for bail, and until May 31st, 2023, so that the trial could begin.

As Mr. Jalingo left the courtroom, Ogunwatch learnt that he was hailed by a number of activists, friends, allies, and associates, including Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress’ presidential candidate for the general elections of 2023.

The case

Mrs. Ayade, who appeared in court on Monday, had written to Mr. Jalingo in July 2022, asking for a retraction of an article that questioned why Paschal Aboh, a suspended staff member of the University of Calabar, was on trial for impersonating a student at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus, while the person who allegedly hired him (Mrs. Ayade) was free.

She demanded NGN 500 million in damages and an apology to be printed in two national daily, as well as, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, and Cross River Watch.