Embattled Journalist and publisher of an online news outlet, CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday.
Jalingo was earlier detained in the Kuje prison for allegedly defaming Elizabeth Ayade, wife of Frank Ayade, who is the brother of Ben Ayade, Cross River State governor.
He was accused of publishing a false news that was defamatory of Mrs Ayade’s personality which is punishable under Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
At the proceedings on Thursday, Jalingo pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. He through his team of lawyers led by Femi Falana, SAN, applied for bail pending the determination of the case against him.
Justice Abubakar, granted his bail application to the tune of N500,000 with a surety of the same amount, the surety must also have a landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
Adjourning the case till May 31, the Judge ordered that the title deed of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Registrar in charge of litigations of the Courts.