Police Charge Publisher to Court over Alleged Defamation of Cross River Governor’s In-Law

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Mr. Agba Jalingo

The Nigerian Police has charged Mr. Agba Jalingo, publisher of “Cross River Watch” to court for allegedly defaming the character of Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade, a sister-in-law to the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade.

The police had arrested Mr.  Jalingo in August 2022 after they laid siege to his Ketu Lagos residence. He was taken to Alapere Police Station and subsequently detained at Area F Police Station. The police flew him to Abuja and subsequently released him on bail in the night.

In the suit dated December 6, 2022, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory, the police claimed the publication by Mr. Jalingo against Elizabeth was false and was released for the purpose of causing her annoyance, ill will and insult.

The suit partly reads, “That you Agba Jalingo male of No.14 Oremeji Street, Ojudu Alapere Lagos on 30th June, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally Published online at Cross River Watch and alleged that one Mrs. Elizabeth Ayade Procured the services of one Pascal Aboh to write Nigeria Law School Examination Bar Examination for her an information you know to be false for the purpose of causing her annoyance, ill will and insult. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(1) b of Cybercrimes (Protection, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.”

“That you Agba Jalingo male of No.14 Oremeji Street, Ojudu Alapere Lagos on 30th June, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally publish at your Facebook page known as Agba Jalingo that one Mrs Elizabeth Ayade procured the services of one Pascal Aboh to write Nigeria Law School Examination Bar Examination for her an information you know to be false for the purpose of causing her annoyance, ill-will and insult. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(1) b of Cybercrimes (Protection, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.”