The Online Publisher Association of Nigeria, OPAN, has demanded the immediate release of Mr. Agba Jalingo, a journalist and Publisher of Calabar-based news website, CrossRiverWatch.
The association also demanded that the Nigerian Government and the Police should drop all the “outrageous” charges preferred against him.
OPAN in a statement by its President, Austyn Ogannah, and General Secretary, Daniel Elombah respectively, also urged elected officials to stop using security officials and misapplying state laws to harass and intimidate journalists, activists and critics of government.
Recall that Jalingo was arrested in Lagos on August 22, 2019 and on August 30, he was charged with disturbance of public peace and treason by the police in Cross River state for his writings and social media posts about the Cross River Governor, Mr. Benedict Ayade.
Authorities also charged him with two counts of terrorism, stemming from his alleged plans to work with Omoyele Sowore, “cult members,” and a local prince to “commit acts of terrorism” to remove Ayade from office, according to the charge sheet.
The statement read further: “To equate published criticism of government policies and politicians with treason is absurd, draconian and outrageous.
“Authorities MUST release Agba Jalingo and other journalists, who are currently in state custody for speaking truth to power and demanding accountability from public office holders, immediately and unconditionally.
