Human Rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, Sent To 1 month imprisonment
The National Legal Adviser of African Alliance Congress Party (AACP) and human rights activist, Barr Inibehe Effiong, has been sentenced to one month imprisonment by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State Justice Ekaette Obong.
Barrister Effiong, in a post, narrated his ordeals saying: ”I have just been sent to Uyo prison by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, for one month for defending Leo Ekpenyong in the libel suit filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel.
“The Chief Judge of Akwa Akwa Ibom ordered a Premium Times reporter to leave the court.
“I said my lord, we were thinking that since the proceeding is public, that members of the public should be allowed to observe the proceeding. My Lord asked me to proceed with cross examination.
“I obeyed. I informed the court that I was not feeling comfortable and safe having two armed mobile policemen seated inside the courtroom, 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 take me to Uyo prison. And that I should be in jail for one month. I am waiting inside the courtroom for them to bring the conviction warrant.
“I will be going to the Uyo Correctional Centre now. I have not done anything. I wasn’t even opportunity to say anything before the “conviction”.
Barrister Effiong also stated that two lawyers who were in court appealed to the Honourable Chief Judge, “but my Lord insisted that I must be jailed.”
Source-: gatekeepersnews
