The Cross River State Government is ready to take over the prosecution of the detained Journalist and publisher of news portal, CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo.
The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tanko Ashang informed Justice Simon Amobeda who presides over Court 2 of the Calabar Division of the Federal High Court Friday that a letter to that effect had been filed and is in the records of the Court.
The matter was returned to Justice Amobeda’s court 57 days after he had recused himself, Ashang said they were ready to go ahead with the matter.
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In his ruling, Justice Amobeda who held that the prayers of the defendant were vague, however granted the prayers of the defense and recused himself for the second time, referring the matter back to the administrative judge of the division, Justice Sule Shuaibu .
Lead Counsel to the defendant, Attah Ochinke moved a motion to vacate an order of the court which stopped all proceedings until an electronic verbatim recorder is provided. One of the defense counsel, Daniel Kip who spoke with journalists explained the news development on the matter.
The take over of the matter by the State Government may have smoothening the process of seeking bail application for Jalingo who has been incacerated in the last 169 days.
