Agba Jalingo Didn’t Commit Criminal Offence, Falana Tells Nigeria Police To Stop Illegal Investigation

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the Nigerian Police Force to terminate the investigation into complaints of “defamation and infringement of integrity” against journalist Agba Jalingo.

According to the senior lawyer in a statement on Sunday, Jalingo did not commit any offence as prescribed by the Criminal Code or the Cybercrime Act.

Falana on Saturday also described the detention of Jalingo by the police as a contravention of the provisions of Nigerian law.

Jalingo was detained at the Alapere Police Station in Lagos State following his arrest, before his transfer to Abuja on Saturday morning.

He was later released on bail around 10 pm on Saturday.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, State Criminal Investigation Department, amid public outcry, moved Jalingo to Abuja.

SaharaReporters learnt that the police at the FCT Command granted bail to Jalingo after serious backlash over his arrest.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore and Falana have confirmed Jalingo’s release from custody.

Sowore had accompanied Jalingo’s brother to sign his bail bond after which the journalist was freed by the police.

In a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson for the FCT police command, DSP Josephine Adeh, said Jalingo was arrested following a petition filed against him by one Elizabeth Frank Ayade, sister-in-law of the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.

“He was arrested over a false allegation, claiming that she paid one Mr. Pascal to write an examination for her at the law school,” she had said.

Falana, however, said the police were acting in contravention of the law.

In a statement on Sunday, the human rights lawyer narrated how Jalingo was released on bail, saying, “Upon the arrival of Agba Jalingo at Abuja yesterday, he was dumped at the Abbatoir detention camp where he was held incommunicado.

“We immediately contacted the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Mr. Babaji Sunday to request for his unconditional release from police custody. However, the Police Commissioner acceded to our request but directed that the journalist be admitted to bail. Thus, Agba Jalingo was released on bail from police custody at about 10 pm last night.

“Even though he was asked to report back to the police station on Monday, July 22, 2022, for further interrogation the police did not disclose whether he would be arraigned before the Magistrate Court or High Court in the Federal Capital Territory. But having regard to the fact and circumstances of the arrest and detention of Agba Jalingo, we hereby reiterate our call for his unconditional release as he has not committed any criminal offence to warrant his harassment.

“We equally urge the Police to terminate the investigation of the complaint of ‘defamation and infringement of integrity’ as it is not an offence prescribed by the Criminal Code or the Cybercrime Act.”