Popular lawyer and human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong said Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, has allegedly sentenced him to a one-month imprisonment.
The lawyer said this occurred after he had asked her to send away armed mobile policemen from the court room for fear of insecurity.
Straightnews had reported on December 4, 2021 that Justice Obot and Inibehe Effiong had heated argument on the libel suit instituted by Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel against Mr. Leo Ekpenyong as a defendant.
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On Wednesday, July 27, Effiong tweeted: ‘‘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 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.
According to him, ‘‘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.
‘‘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.
Meanwhile, there is already a pending application for recusal asking the Hon. Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, to recuse herself. We filed it since 23rd June, 2022. The motion is still pending,’’ Effiong added.
Effiong’s road to prison
Recall that Governor Emmanuel sued Mr Leo Ekpenyong, human rights lawyer, for defamation of character over the publication in which he accused the governor of “buying judgment” from the 2019 National Assembly Election Tribunal.
The court, in its judgment on December 15, 2020, ordered the defendant to pay N1.5 billion to the governor as general damages for libel.
In another defamation case between Senator, Effiong Bob, and Mr Ekpenyong, the court had ordered Mr Ekpenyong to pay N150 million as damages to Mr Bob, a lawyer too.
Both judgments were given on December 15, 2020, by Justice Obot.
But, defence counsel on December 2, 2021 sought for extension of time in a suit on the matter.
However, the Chief Judge thrashed the application in which Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, was awarded N1.5 billion as damages for libel.
Effiong said the court had breached the Nigerian Constitution in its December 15, 2020 judgment against his client, Leo Ekpenyong.
Infuriated by the statement, Justice Obot carpeted the human rights lawyer “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,” she noted.
Earlier, the claimant counsel, Samuel Ikpo, had shouted “sit down” at Mr Effiong, who insisted the court should hear him.
Mr Effiong, who urged the court to give priority to his application for extension of time, cited the Supreme Court position on the matter, “Notwithstanding that preliminary objection is on jurisdiction, provided there is an application before the court for extension of time that application must be taken first.”
Refusing Mr Effiong’s application, the judge said, “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?” she continued. “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,” she added.
