Jailed lawyer-activist: ‘I’ll secure his freedom’ – Femi Falana; You’re not on Channels TV – Judge says before throwing him in jail; Orders arrest of PREMIUM TIMES Reporter

Renowned Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has vowed to secure the release of lawyer-activist, Barrister Iniebehe Effiong, who was ordered thrown into jail, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, by the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot for contempt of court.

Reacting to the dramatic incarceration of the lawyer who was in Uyo, the state capital, to defend a client, Falana said that he has already been briefed by Effiong to take up the matter on his behalf and that he has since set machinery in motion for the release of the imprisoned activist.

Falana said: “I have been briefed by Effiong to take up the matter on his behalf. Having not committed an offence he remains very strong.

“I have asked a colleague in Uyo to apply for the CTC (Certified True Copy) of today’s proceedings. Once we are furnished with the record, we shall file the necessary processes with a view to securing his liberty as soon as possible.”

This is even as it was later revealed that the same Chief Judge not only ordered the PREMIUM TIMES online newspaper reporter, Saviour Imokudo to leave the court, but also asked that he be arrested for an offence that was not yet specified as at the time of filing this report. The Reporter was on his way out of the court following the Judge’s order that he should leave when he was reportedly arrested.

Before slamming the one-month jail term on the lawyer-activist, the Judge had engaged him in an exchange of words. Justice Obot had fired at Barrister Effiong: ” You don’t stand before me and talk nonsense. I’ve been on this side of the law for over 30 years, and you don’t come and teach me the law from there.”

“Preliminary objections are taken first in every proceeding, especially when it touches on jurisdiction. If you have replied to that objection, why are you afraid?

“Is anything the matter with you? This is the court of law and things are done according to rules here. Sentiments do not overrule that.

“You are not on Channels Television, neither are you on Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Television.”

Before being marched off to prison, Effiong had released his side of the story, saying that he had merely objected to the unusual presence of armed security personnel (wielding AK47 riffles) inside the court room, stressing that he had also drawn the attention of the Judge to his motion asking that she be recused from the case as he (Effiong) feared possible bias on her part.

Effiong, who was in Court as Defence Counsel for Leo Ekpenyong, in a case of defamation brought against him by Governor Emmanuel Udom, had also wondered why the PREMIUM TIMES Reporter should be ordered out of court.

Many have condemned what they describe as the highhandedness of the Chief Judge who they accuse of wielding the sledgehammer needlessly against Effiong and the Reporter, Imokudo.

However, the Prosecution Counsel, Barr. Samuel Ikpo, speaking immediately after the day’s proceedings, backed the decision of the Judge.

He expressed displeasure over the actions of Effiong, who he said stretched the patience and leniency of the Judge to the limit with what he described as repeated profane and damning utterances against the person of the Judge who he (Effiong) repeatedly accused of bias.

Barr. Ikpo said “I believe that when he comes out of the correctional facility, he will learn how to conduct himself before a court.

“A lawyer should not allow himself to use one client to destroy his reputation before all the judges.

“I think Justice Obot has really been patient with him all this while. Even as a lawyer, I could not tolerate the young lawyer’s conduct,” Barr Ikpo insisted.