Lawyer Inibehe Effiong sent to prison by Justice Ekaette Obot

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Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has been sentenced to a one month jail term by the Chief Justice of Akwa Ibom state, Ekaette Obot. 

Through his Facebook account the embattled lawyer and activist was sentenced for ‘defending Leo Ekpenyong in the libel suit filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel’. He is been sent to Uyo prison.

Further disclosures by Effiong has it that the state Chief Judge asked a journalist with Premium Times to leave the court, a development to which the lawyer insisted that he is of the opinion that the proceedings should be made public but the judge thought otherwise, insisting rather that he should continue with cross examination.

Inibehe Effiong Inside van at Uyo prison waiting for the issue of custody to be determined, between Uyo or Ikot Ekpene prison

Continuing, lawyer Effiong noted that ‘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 Hon. 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”. Two lawyers in court appealed to the Hon. Chief Judge but my Lord insisted that I must be jailed.’