CALL TO ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERN

Highlights of Human Rights Violation
Activist and publisher of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo was arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja on March 27 for what the prosecution alleged to be the offence of cyberstalking under section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015. The judge remanded him in Kuje Custodial Centre and did not take any application for bail upon his arraignment. An application for bail is expected to come up on March 30. In the meantime,  Jalingo remains in prison. The charge is related to an article he published about the sister-in-law of Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.

It will be recalled that in August 2022,  Jalingo had first been arrested on this same charge at his house in Lagos State and moved to Abuja from where he was released. The current charge appears to be a continuation of his earlier arrest.
The reckless and arbitrary use of political influence and deployment of State security apparatus by public office holders  and their associates to deal with issues that can otherwise be pursued and resolved through civil legal action, raise serious concern. This amounts to the violation of the rights of their perceived critics and abuse of power.

Action
Dear Citizen, we ask that you make your voice heard by writing to the National Assembly Committees on Human Rights in the Senate and House of Representatives to intervene in this matter. Write your petition using the format below and send it to nassrightsaction@placng.org or click here: https://bit.ly/40BfwF6  to submit your petition.

Letter Format

Dear Distinguished/Honourable Chairman,

I, ______________________ am concerned to learn of the arrest, arraignment and detention of activist and publisher of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo for publishing an article alleged to defame the sister-in-law of the Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade.

I enjoin you to:
Call on the Federal Government to drop the charges preferred against him and ensure his immediate and unconditional release.

Name of Complainant: