TechnocratMedia
Inibehe Effiong, a legal practitioner and human rights activist, has taken the chief judge of Akwa Ibom, Ekaette Obot, to court over an alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.
The chief judge had sent Effiong to prison after the lawyer who was representing his client reportedly protested against the presence of armed policemen in court being presided by Ekaette Obot.
On July 27, the human rights lawyer was in court to defend Leo Ekpenyong, a lawyer, in a libel suit filed by Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as well as well-meaning Nigerians, including civil society organisations (CSOs), have called for the release of Mr Inihebe.
On August 3, Olumide Apata, the president of NBA said the association might be forced to take up the matter with the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the refusal of Akom State Chief Judge to grant the release of Inibehe Effiong.
In a new development, in the suit filed before the Uyo division of the federal high court through Femi Falana, human rights lawyer; Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, a senior advocate of Nigeria and other lawyers, Mr Inihebe is asking the court for an order directing the chief judge to furnish him with a copy of the judgement committing him to prison to enable him to file an appeal, according to TheCable.
In an affidavit deposed by Aniema Akpan, secretary in Inibehe Effiong chambers, the applicant was said to have applied for a copy of the judgment via two different letters dated July 29 and August 12 respectively.
“That without any reason whatsoever, the respondent has refused to furnish the applicant with a copy of the judgment,” the affidavits read.
“That as a result of the refusal of the respondent to furnish the applicant with a copy of the judgment, he has not been able to appeal against the judgment before the court of appeal.
“That the refusal to furnish the applicant with a copy of the judgment over 14 days after his conviction is prejudicial to the applicant’s fundamental right to a fair hearing.”
Consequently, Inibehe is asking for “a declaration that the applicant who was jailed on July 27, 2022, by the Akwa Ibom state high court presided order by the respondent on account of contempt of court is entitled to a copy of the judgment within seven days of the conclusion of the case”.
“A declaration that the refusal of the respondent to make a copy of her judgment available to the applicant since the 27th of July, 2022 despite applicant’s repeated application for same is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Section 36(7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
“An order directing the respondent to furnish the applicant with a copy of the judgment delivered on July 27, 2022, forthwith.”
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