Agba Jalingo, journalist and journalist who was earlier arrested and transferred to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has been released, although he is expected to report back on Monday.
The journalist had previously been arrested by the command, according to Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesman, who also noted that a probe was still going on.
‘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.’ Adeh said.
‘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.’
Jalingo, who spoke with reporter on Saturday night, disclosed that the police had requested that he 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.’
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that 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.
James Ibor, Jalingo’s lawyer told reporters that Jalingo’s family members and friends have been nervous about the situation, particularly, when the Abuja police command refuted receiving the journalist at the Federal Capital Territory.
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 has 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.’
He has been asked to report at the police station. Hopefully, the case will be resolved.
