Journalist remanded for insulting Ayade’s in-law gets bail

A journalist, Agba Jalingo, who was remanded in prison for insulting the sister-in-law of Cross Rivers state governor, Ben Ayade, has regained has been released on bail. Jalingo’s accuser, one Elizabeth Alami Ayade, said he made a false publication against her.

Femi Falana (SAN), who is counsel to the defendant, move an application for his bail during his arraignment on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Falana urged the judge to grant his client’s bail on liberal term, a request the plaintiff’s counsel, Fidelis Ogbobe did not oppose. Ruling, Justice Zainab Abubakar admitted Jalingo to a bail bond of N500,000 and one surety in like sum, before adjoining the suit to May 31.

Jalingo, who is known to be a gadfly to the Ayade-led administration, is facing two counts charge. According to the court documents, his alleged offence is punishable by Section 24 (1)b of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.