DETAINED AGBA JALINGO’S HEALTH DETERIORATES

Jalingo Agba (l), and Prof. Ben Ayade, Cross River State Gov.

There are concerns over the deteriorating health of Mr. Agba Jalingo, who has been in police custody in Calabar, the Cross River capital for over eigth days.

In a release by the Association of Cross River Online Journalists, ACROJ, and signed by its chairman, Edem Darlington, the body noted with dismay the continuous unlawful detention of Jalingo, Publisher of Cross River Watch

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“As the world marks the International Day for the Disappeared, we want to draw the attention of all Nigerians and indeed the whole world to the increasing hostility towards journalists and critics of the government in Cross River State.

“Today, Journalists and critics of the government have become endangered. Cross River State has taken a huge leap backwards in terms of the protection of journalists,” Darlington noted in the statement.

Continuing, he deplored the flagrant disregard to the constitution and rights of Nigerians by the Nigeria Police Force, especially, the Cross River State command.

He wondered why the Nigeria Police Force, especially, the Cross River State command whose duty was to protect and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s constitution and the right of journalists would take the opposite seat?

“The flagrant disregard to the constitution and rights of Nigerians by the Nigeria Police Force, especially, the Cross River State command which is supposed to protect and uphold the integrity of our constitution and the right of journalists; but, have rather taken the opposite seat poses a great concern which must not be overlooked.

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“The Cross River State Commissioner of police, Mr. Austin Agbonlahor has continued to disregard the constitution through the unlawful continuous detention of Mr. Jalingo, a journalist and Publisher of the Cross river watch.com,” ” Darlington added.

He said his association was concerned about the deteriorating health of Mr. Jalingo, whose hands and legs were swollen most likely due to handcuffs and solitary confinement as well as loss of appetite.

“Access to him has been largely controlled, while the few who have seen him have expressed concern over his health and called for him to have immediate access to his doctors.” 

While calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Jalingo, ACROJ also called on the Inspector General of Police to urgently call the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Agbonlahor to order and redeploy him from the state and immediately set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the several complaints of human rights abuse under his watch.

It will be recalled that Jalingo was whisked away by the police from his Lagos residence on Thursday August 22^nd 2019 and driven to Calabar by road on a trip of more than 15 hours. And he was afterward thrown into detention upon arrival in Calabar on Saturday August 24^th. 2019.

Jalingo has been on Governor Ben Ayade’s watch following his series of social media posts and publishing of the governor’s alleged financial recklessness in the state.

His arrest has been widely condemned by his friends and associates, including Mr. Charles Kalu, a media personality and Executive Producer of The Daily Report, a news and current affairs programme on radio, as well as Publisher The Daily Report, an online news platform.

There are indications that Jalingo might be charged to court to court on Monday, September 2^nd, 2019.

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