Detained journalist Agba Jalingo, mourns younger brother

Philip Agbebia Jalingo, the younger brother of detained journalist and Editor-in-chief of Cross River Watch, Agba Jalingo, is dead.

Philip Jalingo, who was a photo-journalist, reportedly died in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 34, after battling with testicular cancer. He is survived by a wife and two children.

His death was announced on Saturday in a statement signed by News Editor of Cross River Watch, Ugbal Jonathan.

The statement revealed that Agba Jalingo was in grief after receiving the news of his brother’s death, describing it as “the will of God.”

“God knows why it happened while I am in prison. Maybe, it will be a constant reminder to me of this trying period. God bless Ayade for allowing me not to see the corpse of my younger brother,” he reportedly said.

The late Jalingo will be buried today at his hometown in Bedia, Cross River State. However, Agba Jalingo will be unable to attend the burial, as he is still detained at the Calabar Custodial Centre, where he has spent the last 162 days.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Jalingo was arrested on 22nd August 2019, over a report alleging that the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, diverted N500 million belonging to the Cross River Microfinance Bank.