Wednesday, March 27, 2024

CPJ welcomes discharge, acquittal of journalist Agba Jalingo

A federal court acquitted and awarded damages to the CrossRiverWatch publisher on Monday.

• March 21, 2022
Committee to Protect Journalists and Agba Jalingo
Committee to Protect Journalists and Agba Jalingo

In response to news reports that a federal court on Monday acquitted Nigerian journalist Agba Jalingo on all charges, including anti-state and defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

“Today’s acquittal of journalist Agba Jalingo on trumped-up charges is welcome, but he should never have been arrested, detained for nearly six months, and prosecuted for his work in the first place,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator. “Nigerian authorities should compensate Jalingo for his mistreatment, in compliance with a 2021 regional court decision, and ensure that journalism is not criminalized and the media can report freely.”

Jalingo was arrested on August 22, 2019, and charged for his writing and social media posts about Cross River state Governor Benedict Ayade, according to CPJ documentation and media reports. “At every point in time, I knew I was innocent,” Jalingo, publisher of the privately owned news website CrossRiverWatch, told CPJ by phone. “I have always known this day will come.”

In July 2021, the ECOWAS Court of Justice, a West African regional court, ordered the Nigerian government to compensate Jalingo for his prolonged detention and mistreatment in custody, according to media reports and CPJ calls for compliance. As of Monday, Jalingo has not been paid, he told CPJ.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar [Photo Shettima]

NationWide

Chief of Air Staff celebrates feats as NAF clocks 60

“The CAS said that the NAF had come a long way since its establishment in 1964.’’

OLAYEMI CARDOSO; CBN

Economy

Economists urge CBN to balance inflation control with economic growth measures

The experts also advised the CBN on the need for a balanced approach.

FRSC

States

FRSC hands over N1.6 million found on Bauchi accident victims to families

Mr Ikaba said the accident involved a Mercedes Benz and a commercial Opel Vectra.

NLC president Joe Ajaero

NationWide

NLC urges FG to speedily revive textile industry

“The textiles industry has historically been a major employer of labour.’’

Amotekun

States

Amotekun dismisses three officers in Ondo for misconduct

Mr Adeleye said the three dismissed officers would be prosecuted in line with the corps’ regulations.

International Organisation for Migration

NationWide

8,541 migrants drowned in 2023, says IOM  

IOM noted that the number of unidentified deaths remains high.