INTERVIEW: Those behind my unjust incarceration won't escape misery - Rights lawyer, Effiong recounts ordeal

exclusive interview with DAILY POST correspondent in Uyo, Effiong narrated how he flew into Uyo to defend his client on a libel case, what transpired in the court that led to his incarceration and his expectations from the judicial system. Excerpts!Yes, it is exactly one year ago, precisely on July 27, 2022, I was remanded in the Correctional Centre for one month by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, for alleged contempt of court.

Before I filed the motions, I wrote to the Hon. Chief Judge and pleaded with My Lord to reassign the two cases which had the same facts. My Lord in her wisdom refused to accede to my request. Another ground of the applications was that my client felt extremely scared after my Lord attended the wedding of the daughter of Senator Effiong Bob during the pendency of the two libel cases which arose from the same alleged online publication with identical pleadings, witnesses and representation. There is video evidence of this.

I was going to the third question when His Lordship interjected me and ordered a journalist from Premium Times to stand up. His Lordship asked him who he was and he introduced himself. Immediately he mentioned Premium Times, My Lord instructed that he should leave and his cellphone seized. What was I supposed to do as a minister in the temple of justice in this circumstance?

I admit that I did not comply with this order immediately. I rather told His Lordship that if I derobe, I would no longer be able to address the court as counsel. I was expecting some explanation on why a lawyer should derobe while addressing the court. At no time did my Lord say anything about contempt or suggest that I was about to be committed for contempt. When My Lord did not respond to my position that I will not be able to address the court if I derobed, I removed my wig.

The then governor’s lawyer, Mr Samuel Ikpo, a senior lawyer who came out after my committal to tell fictional stories to the media in order to scandalise me, did not utter a word in court while this was playing out. He said nothing. He did nothing. He just sat there looking stunned; possibly shocked by the development .

It was speculated that you planned to go for appeal after your one month jail term, what is the situation now? Ten months after I submitted the brief, the President of the NBA has neither contacted me nor taken any action on my case. I was later told informally not to bother because Mr. President had no interest in pursuing my matter, that he wondered why his predecessor, Mr. Olumide Akpata, did not submit the petition to the NJC before leaving office. I only wish Mr.

Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

International Community Should Be Concerned About Human Rights Violations In Africa As They Are About Gay Rights –Bobi Wine | Sahara ReportersUgandan musical superstar cum politician Bobi Wine has explained why he is reluctant to engage in the debate on gay rights in his country. The presidential candidate in the 2021 presidential election in Uganda spoke in an exclusive interview with 90MinutesAfrica's Rudolf Okonkwo in New York City. The former Member of Parliament said he only refrains from commenting on the topic because his political enemies could use it against him. 'The anti-gay law was brought against the opposition, including myself,' Bobi Wine said.
Source: SaharaReporters - 🏆 9. / 63 Read more »

NHRC: Domestic, gender-based violence constitute 80% of rights violations in Plateau | TheCableThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says 80 per cent of cases of human rights violations in Plateau are a result of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Speaking during an
Source: thecableng - 🏆 2. / 80 Read more »

Workers’ Rights Campaign Calls For Full Return Of Petrol Subsidy, N200,000 Minimum Wage Ahead Of Nationwide Protest In Nigeria | Sahara ReportersThe Workers’ Right Campaign (WRC) has welcomed the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to embark on a nationwide mass protest against the anti-poor and anti-workers policies of this government. The group said it fully supports the mass action.
Source: SaharaReporters - 🏆 9. / 63 Read more »

Niger: Falana warns ECOWAS against military option - Punch NewspapersHuman rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has called on the Authority of the Economic Community of West African States not to attack
Source: MobilePunch - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Falana to ECOWAS: Military intervention unwise | Impose stronger sanctions on Niger coup plotters | TheCableFemi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has asked the ECOWAS authority to reconsider its interventions in the Niger coup.
Source: thecableng - 🏆 2. / 80 Read more »