![L-R: Managing Director, BGL Securities Limited, Arnold A. Dublin-Green; Assistant Vice President, Financial Derivatives Limited, Dr. Ifeoma Nwokolo; CEO, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise [CPPE], Muda Yusuf (speaker); Chairman of the Occasion, Chief Paul Usoro; Dean, Lagos Business School, Information Systems, Prof. Olayinka David-West; Managing Director/CEO, Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane; Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina at Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals IPO Roadshow tagged “Back to where it all began” in Port Harcourt. Rivers State on Monday, October 12, 2026…](https://pmparrotng.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Dangote-imagee-180x135.jpg "As Dangote Refinery’s IPO Nears Close, Small Investors Take Center Stage")
The Online Publisher Association of Nigeria (OPAN) has urged the police and Nigerian authorities to drop all the outrageous charges preferred against, Mr. Agba Jalingo, a journalist and Publisher of Calabar-based news website, CrossRiverWatch and release him from detention immediately.
OPAN in a statement by President, Austyn Ogannah, also urged elected officials to stop using security officials and misapplying state laws to harass and intimidate journalists, activists and critics of government.
On August 30, the police in Cross River state charged Jalingo with disturbance of public peace and treason for his writings and social media posts about the controversial Cross River Governor, Mr. Benedict Ayade.
Police arrested Jalingo in Lagos on August 22, 2019. 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.
“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,” the OPAN statement said.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
