*Photo: Jalingo*
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and presided over by Justice Zainab Abubakar has remanded Nigerian Journalist, Citizen Agba Jalingo at the medium security custodial center in Kuje for allegedly publishing an article that was ‘insulting’ to Mrs. Elizabeth Frank Ayade, wife of the younger brother of Governor Ben Ayade.
Two charges bordering on false publication intended to cause, “annoyance, ill will and insult,” on the person of Mrs. Ayade, wife of Mr. Frank Ayade, were preferred on Citizen Jalingo in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/565/2022.
He is alleged to have committed an offense punishable by Section 24 (1)b of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
He was arraigned on Monday and pleaded not guilty to both charges. Shortly after, the prosecution counsel, Fidelis Ogbobe Esq. sought an adjournment for trial which the defense counsel, F. Baba Isa did not oppose but pleaded for the matter to be stood down as the lead counsel, Marshal Abubakar Esq. was on his way.
Mr. Ogbobe opposed the application, citing Section 354 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which stipulates that when parties are called, the Court shall proceed to hear the matter.
He argued that; “The excuse is a calculated attempt to postpone the arraignment,” and asked the Court to not take the defense seriously.
But, Isa said in the interest of justice, the sins of the Counsel should not be visited on the defendant. However, Justice Abubakar indulged the prosecution and did not grant the application.
When Mr. Abubakar appeared in Court, Justice Abubakar said in her records, he was absent from Court. She also declined the defense request to move the motion for bail.
She subsequently adjourned the matter until March 30th, 2023 for the Court to take the bail application of the defendant and May 31st, 2023 for the trial.