Detained Lawyer and activist, Barr. Iniebehe Effiong has filed a suit against the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot for ” Enforcement of his fundamental rights to freedom of Liberty and Fair hearing.
The suit is sequel to the continuous refusal by the Chief Judge to release copies of the proceedings together with the order convicting the human rights activist, made since July 27, 2022, in compliance to section 36(7) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended, despite repeated applications to that effect.
Speaking to the press in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday morning, Barr. Augustine, an associate of the detained lawyer said;
“We were forced to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit yesterday at the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/UY/FHR/170/2022 against this flagrant impunity in the system in order for my Lord to be compelled to comply with the extant laws of our land.
“It’s beyond imagination to see that the wilful refusal to release copies of the said proceedings has precariously affected and frustrated all material efforts made by Inibehe’s legal team to appeal against his conviction including his release from the prison custody. Today is making exactly 20days since this remand order was made by His lordship, yet all efforts made to access the proceedings have been abortive, ” he concluded.
Justice Ekaette Obot had on July 27, sent Barr. Effiong to one month in prison for alleged contempt of court proceedings when he appeared in court as counsel to Mr. Leo Ekpenyong in the case of libel instituted by the Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
