SAN FRANCISCO, October 04, (THEWILL) –Â A Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, has denied Agba Jalingo, the journalist detained by the police at the prompting of Governor Ben Ayade for daring to publish stories that exposed alleged financial impropriety of the governor.
Jalingo was charged for treasonable felony, terrorism and attempt to topple the Cross River State government.
Justice Amobeda who also dismissed the preliminary objection of the prosecution counsel held that one of the charges was punishable by death. He also held that the defendant did not prove special and exceptional circumstances to compel him to apply his discretion and grant Jalingo bail.
In the alternative of granting bail, the Court also ordered the accelerated hearing of the case. The matter was adjourned till October 16, 2019.
