By CrossRiverWatch Admin
Nigerian journalist and activist, Agba Jalingo will take a fresh plea in his terrorism and treasonable felony trial on Wednesday.
Mr. Jalingo’s trial which began in 2019 has suffered numerous setbacks and he will be appearing before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Calabar Division of the Federal High Court – the third Judge to listen to the case after one recused himself and the second was transferred.
The prosecution is expected to present a witness for testimony after failing to do since 2019.
Judicial sources say the charges against him were amended with all carrying either life or death sentences if he is convicted.
He was arrested in August 22, 2019, days before the agreed interview date with the Cross River State Police command over an article he published in July 2019 wherein he demanded the whereabouts of the NGN500 million approved and released for the floating of the Cross River Microfinance Bank.
Despite been the nominal complainant, the Cross River State Government denied been behind his ordeal. It however took over prosecution from the Federal Government on February 13, 2020.
He spent 34 days in Police custody and was arraigned before Justice Simon Amobeda who denied him bail twice and ordered his remand at the Afokang Medium Security Prisons until he recused himself from the case.
He was then admitted to bail by Justice Sule Shuaibu and was released after 179 days of incarceration on February 17, 2020.