By Jonathan Ugbal
Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city broke silence on his alleged involvement in the arrest, incarceration and secret trial of Agba Jalingo, a journalist and rights activist.
Ayade who had visited President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the recent re-run elections in the State, his administration’s agro investment among others, told State House correspondents that he had to “stay away” from the discussion of Mr. Jalingo.
Jalingo risks a death sentence if convicted on any of the three counts of terrorism preferred against him and up to three years in prison if convicted on the one charge of cybercrime in the amended charges. He was arrested at his Lagos residence on August 22, 2019 before a rescheduled police invitation. He spent 34 days in Police custody before he was arraigned and has spent 125 days remanded at the Medium Security and Custodial Center since September 25, 2019.
Mr. Jalingo had in article in July demanded the whereabouts of the NGN500 million approved and released by the Cross River State government for the floating of the Cross River Microfinance bank.
And, Mr. Ayade’s position on Monday reiterated the stance of his aides who had denied his involvement despite claims to the contrary.
Watch his reaction below: Video Credit: Youtube/Channels Television
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