The Federal High Court in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital has fixed Wednesday, October 23, 2019, for masked prosecution witnesses to testify against the bail application requested by the counsel to detained journalist and publisher of Cross River watch, Agba Jalingo.
The presiding judge, Justice Simon Amobeda who granted the plea for the witness to be masker, held that no matter where the ruling swings, the trial will commence on Wednesday.
In their argument, the prosecution led by Dennis Terhemba had informed the court that there were threats to the life of the witnesses and sought the judge’s permission to have them masked while appearing before the court.
On his part, the defense counsel led by Barrister James Ibor, asked the court to deny the prosecution plea as the basis of its request on threat to life does not exist.
Agba Jalingo is standing trial for alleged treason, terrorism, Cultism and attempt to topple the Cross River State Government. Hearing of the charges Continues on Wednesday.
Cult Clash Leaves 5 People Dead in Cross River
Five people have been reported killed in a renewed cult clash that erupted in Okundi, Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Property worth millions of Naira were also destroyed in the clash which escalated following the killing of a youth opposed to cult activities in the Cross River Central community.
An eyewitness who preferred not to be named said 12 villages which make up the Old Osokom Clan in Boki Local Government Area had held a meeting in Okundi, seeking ways to eradicate cult activities in the communities.
But when the cult groups learnt about the community meeting, they attacked Okundi where the meeting was held and five people reportedly lost their lives.
Reacting to the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo who confirmed the attack, however, declined to mention the casualty when asked.
Ugbo said the anti-riot policemen have been deployed to affected villages to stop the clashes.
