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Police seek to amend charges as court begins journalist’s treasonable felony trial

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Agba Jalingo

Dennis Tarhemba, the prosecution counsel in the case against journalist and rights activist, Agba Jalingo, has sought the amendment of charges against the detained journalist.
Jalingo is standing trial for treasonable felony, terrorism and attempt to topple the Cross Rivers State government.

When the trial commenced on Wednesday the prosecutor asked the court to grant him leave to amend the charges and an order to protect its witnesses.

Tarhemba, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, in his opening statement at the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, said though the matter was adjourned till Thursday for accelerated hearing, the prosecution has filed for amendment of charges and sought an order to protect its witnesses.

The lead counsel to the defendant, Attah Ochinke told the court that despite the prosecution filing the amendment on October 11, they were served with the paper just a few hours to the commencement of proceedings.

Justice Amobeda then adjourned the matter till Thursday to entertain the plea of the prosecution and commencement of trial.

READ ALSO: Journalist, Agba Jalingo’s travails continue as court denies him bail

“The defense counsel shall file and serve his reaction before trial tomorrow,” Justice Amobeda said.

At the end of the court session, Tarhembal told journalists to wait till the next adjourned date to get details on the amended charges.

“They are matters before the court and it (was) not taken today, it is tomorrow. So if you come to the court tomorrow, you will now know the type of charge we intend to amend,” the prosecutor added.

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