Ex-NBA Vice President, Ubani Condemns Arrest of Jalingo
A former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Monday Ubani, has condemned the arrest of Publisher of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo, by the police in Cross River State on Thursday.
The legal practitioner described the incident as an infringement on the right of Jalingo, who was billed to honour a police invitation earlier sent to him on Monday, August 26.
Ubani said, “I have just been informed by Mrs. Agba Jalingo that the Nigerian Police from Cross River State have arrested her husband, Mr. Agba Jalingo, for reasons that are not clear.
“Recall that Jalingo had been having a running battle with his state governor, Mr. Ben Ayade.
“This stems from his criticisms of his inept leadership in Cross Rivers State, an act considered sacrilegious by the governor.
The Cross River State Police Command have invited Agba Jalingo, a journalist publisher of CrossRiver Watch, for publishing an article exposing how Governor Ben Ayade approved and diverted N500m for Cross River Micro-Finance Bank.
In the article, Jalingo said the micro-finance bank had been rendered non-functional as money earmarked to kick start its operation was not released.
The report reads, “After raising these high hopes and expectations, eight months after the opening of the bank and release of N500m, not a dime has been given to anyone.
“Information available to me suggest clearly that after approval of the N500m, Governor Ayade diverted the funds and embezzled same and this has stalled plans for the microfinance bank.”
About a month after the publication of the report, the police invited Jalingo for questioning on the article.
The Police in its letter to him, said the article is “conspiracy to cause a breach of peace”.
The invitation letter dated August 14, 2019 and delivered two days later, reads, “This office is investigating a case of conspiracy to cause a breach of peace, reported by Cross River Microfinance Bank, Calabar, in which your name is mentioned.
“To facilitate our investigation, you are kindly requested to report to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Calabar, on Monday August 19, 2019, at 1400hrs, to state your side of the case.
“The Commissioner of Police in Cross Rivers State is clearly on the side of the governor as he has not hidden his subservience to the governor and his desires which includes the arrest and public humiliation of Mr. Jalingo.
“This arrest may not be unconnected with that desire. The surprise element in all this is that the same police have invited him to come on August 26 and he has promised to honour their invitation.
“One is at a loss why the arrest on August 22, four days earlier than the day of the invitation.
“Just hope that this arrest is not from Cross River State governor as this will be clearly illegal and condemnable.”
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