By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Police Force in Nigeria has failed to arraign rights activist and Journalist, Agba Jalingo, 33 days after his arrest.
Mr. Jalingo who is the publisher of online news platform, CrossRiverWatch was criminally abducted from his Lagos residence on August 22, 2019 and was forced to embark on a 25 hour torturous trip to the southern port city of Calabar where he has been detained with controlled access.
Mr. Jalingo was invited by the Police for an interview bothering on a feature article which demanded answers from the Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Benedict Ayade about the whereabouts of NGN500 million (USD1.38 million) approved and released by that State for the take-off of a Microfinance bank.
And, despite slamming charges bordering on conspiracy to topple the Cross River State Government, terrorism and treasonable felony, the Police remains mute on the reason why he has not been arraigned despite after 33 days and a week after a 14 day detention order by the Federal High Court elapsed on Monday, September 16, 2019.
The Police has remained mute on Mr. Jalingo’s matter.
His lawyers had gone to the State High Court to enforce his fundamental human rights. But, the Court presided over by Justice Isoni Francisca threw the case out on grounds that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter following an oral motion moved by the Counsel to the Police, Mr. Dennis Terhemba.
Several organizations and individuals have called for his release while accusing the State government of sponsoring his incarceration.
But, the Spokesman to Governor Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita who had earlier said Jalingo’s arrest was in connection with his participation in the #RevolutionNow demonstrations; argues that people point fingers at his principal because it is the easiest thing to do.
Meanwhile, Jalingo’s counsel, Mr. Attah Ochinke had said plans to approach the Federal High Court to enforce his fundamental human rights and his bail application have been perfected.
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