The Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Saturday night, released journalist and publisher of CrossRiver Watch, Agba Jalingo.
The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, told our correspondent that the command had earlier detained the journalist, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Adeh said, “On Saturday, August 20, 2022, Agba Jalingo was arrested by State CID operatives in response to a petition filed against him by one Elizabeth 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.
“Upon the receipt of this petition, we went ahead to invite Mr Jalingo, but he refused to come, leaving the police no option but to secure an arrest warrant, which was why he was arrested in Lagos.
“Investigation is currently ongoing, and the unraveled facts will be communicated subsequently.”
However, Jalingo who spoke to our correspondent, Saturday night, said the police asked him to report to the FCT Command on Monday.
Jalingo said, “I have been freed. Congratulations to Nigerians, comrades, and journalists who made efforts to ensure that I wasn’t locked up on a frivolous petition.
“The police asked that I report to the FCT Police Command on Monday.”
Earlier, Jalingo’s legal counsel, James Ibor, who spoke to our correspondent, noted that his relatives and friends have been apprehensive, especially since the police in Abuja had earlier denied receipt of him.
Ibor said, “We’ve been apprehensive. His family and friends have been apprehensive since he was arrested, but we became more apprehensive when the police authorities in Abuja denied receiving him hours after he left the Airport in Lagos.
“This should not be happening in a country that ha laws. Why would you arrest a journalist without inviting him over a publication he made?
“The police in Abuja later confirmed that they’ve received him, and we hope that they’ll release him.”
Backstory
Jalingo had on Friday announced that his Lagos residence was under siege by policemen.
He was later reportedly detained at Alapere Police Station, Lagos.
The wife of the activist, Violet Agba, confirmed this to our correspondent, Friday evening.
She noted that the police had planned to transfer the activist to Abuja tomorrow morning.
“They took him to the police station, he will be moved to Abuja tomorrow morning,” she told The PUNCH.
She claimed that Jalingo was being arrested for alleged defamation of character of the wife of Frank Ayade, the brother of the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade.
“We asked them for an arrest warrant or charge sheet, but they didn’t present it to us. They only told us that he’s been invited for defamation of character of Frank Ayade’s wife.” She added.
