Justice Sule Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Calabar, has admitted journalist and rights activist, Agba Jalingo, to bail in the sum of N10m and one surety.
Jalingo is being tried for terrorism for publishing a report on his online news platform, Cross River Watch, questioning the whereabouts of the N500m approved and released for the floating of the Cross River Microfinance Bank.
Justice Simon Amobeda had denied Jalingo bail on two previous occasion – October 4 and 30, 2019 – saying the journalist had not given enough reason as to why he should be admitted to bail.
Justice Amobeda recused himself from the case following a leaked audio where he was caught saying Jalingo’s life was in his hand and he would treat him like Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was sentenced to death by hanging under military rule.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Shuaibu, Jalingo pleaded not guilty to a fresh four-count charge preferred against him bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, cultism and attempt to topple the Cross River State Government.
Jalingo’s counsel, Attah Ochinke, moved the motion for bail with the prosecution counsel, Tanko Ashang, refusing to oppose it.
The judge subsequently set the bail bond at N10m with one surety in like sum.
The surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and his address must be physically verified.
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