Calabar: Agba Jalingo Free At Last

By Fola James

After six months in detention, Agba Jalingo has now been granted bail by a Federal High court in Calabar, Cross River state.

He was granted N10 million bail by the court.

The magazine learnt that the reporter is likely to remain in detention because as he makes effort to perfect his bail.

Jalingo has been in Detention since last August, facing charges bordering on felony, terrorism and attempt to topple the Cross Rivers state government.

Top human rights bodies like Amnesty International have exerted pressure on the federal government to release the detained journalist.

He was charged to court by the Cross Rivers state government after he published an article in July where he questioned the whereabouts of the N500 million allegedly released for floating the Cross Rivers Microfinance Bank.

The state governmnet has vehemently denied the allegation.

The governor Ben Ayade’s government has also denied putting the journalist on trial for the report.

Last month, Governor said Jalingo was being prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Jalingo has severally applied for bail on  health grounds but has been continously.

For instance, Justice Simon Amobeda had last year rejected his plea for bail citing lack of substantial evidence on his failing health and had since been in prison.

Details later……………..