Update: Jailed Lawyer, Inibehe, Demanded Two Policemen Leave Court Room; SERAP Demands Release

By Adesina Soyooye

A possible reason why a Lagos-based Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, was sent to a one month imprisonment by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Honourable Justice Ekaette Obot, has been adduced.

Effiong who flew into Uyo from Lagos to defend a client, Lawrence Ekpenyong in a case instituted against him by State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, was sent to a one-month imprisonment by Obot.

In a Whatsaap message he sent out, Effiong said he had objected to the order by the CJ that a Reprter from Premium Times leave the Court because he felt that the public had a right to observe the proceedings since it was a public case. The CJ asked him to continue with cross examination.

But the Lawyer did more than that.

Effiong requested that two armed Police men in the Court be sent out of the Court because he did not feel safe with them around.

Effiong: “I obeyed. I informed the Court that I was not feeling comfortable and safe having two armed Mobile Policemen seated inside the Court room, that it was strange and that I felt unsafe. I applied for the Judge to excuse the armed Policemen from the courtroom.

“The Honourable Chief Judge then ordered me to step out of the Bar, that she was sending me to Prison. She then ordered the Policemen to send me to prison.”

CJ Obot refused to adhere to the pleadings of two lawyers in Court who pleaded with her not to send Obot to Prison.

But the Socio and Economic and Accountability Project, SERAP has threatened to go to Court if Effiong was not released immediately.

On its Twitter handle it held Governor Emmanuel responsible for Effiong’s fate.

It said: “Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel must immediately and unconditionally release Lawyer Inibehe Effiong who has reportedly been sent to Uyo Prison while in Court representing his client against the Governor. We’ll see in Court if Effiong is not immediately released.”

At the time of writing this, the Nigerian Bar Association was yet to react to the incident.