Timeline of activities
Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch was arrested by the Nigeria Police and charged for terrorism, treasonable felony and attempt to topple the Cross River State Government. He spent 34 days in jail before his trial started.
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17 July 2019
Mr. Jalingo published an article titled “How Ayade Approved And Diverted
N500 million for Cross River Microfinance Bank”. -
22 August 2019
He was arrested in Lagos by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team
of the Nigeria Police. -
13 September 2019
He fell sick and was rushed to the Police Clinic but was returned to the facility
where he was detained despite the doctor insisting he spends the night. -
14 September 2019
He returned to the clinic and was directed to rest in the hospital for observation.
The Police refused and took him back into detention. -
4 October 2019
Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Calabar denied Mr Jalingo bail.
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11 October 2019
Police filed a motion to amend charges and seek protection of witnesses.
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16 October 2019
The prosecution counsel filed for an amendment of charges & an order to protect its witnesses. The trial judge ordered the prison officers never to bring Mr Jalingo into the court premises in chains.
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22 October 2019
The officers cuffed Mr Jalingo and only removed the cuffs as soon as he stepped out of the van. The trial stalled on technical grounds as the prosecution & defense counsel could not agree on the processes filed.
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23 October 2019
Court grants leave for prosecution to mask witnesses.
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30 October 2019
The trial judge refused to grant Mr Jalingo bail on account of his ill health. He said S.161(2)(C) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) relied on by the defence counsel will only avail if the accused has been in custody for 1 year.
The case was adjourned until 6th & 7th November, 2019.