A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a cybercrime case filed against Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch.
Jalingo was arrested on August 19, 2022, at his Lagos residence following a petition by Elizabeth Ayade, the wife of Frank Ayade, alleging defamation of character.
He was subsequently taken to Abuja. In March 2023, Jalingo was remanded in prison after being arraigned on a two-count of false publication against Elizabeth Ayade.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were said to contravene Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
At the court session on Monday, presiding judge Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the case against Jalingo.
Recall also that In 2019, he was arrested and arraigned after publishing a story alleging that Ayade approved and diverted N500 million meant for the state’s microfinance bank.
He was charged with conspiracy, terrorism, treasonable felony, and attempting to topple the state government. He was released from detention after 174 days.
