A cross section of human rights groups as well as Nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in Akwa Ibom State congregated in Uyo over the weekend to demand for the release of the Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Barrister Inibehe Effiong.

Especially, women of the group #NudeNigeria, went semi-nude, to emphasise their cry for the unconditional release of the legal practitioner and activist.

The groups strolled down Wellington Bassey end (Barracks Road), carrying placards and singing songs calling for Barr Effiong’s release.

They maintained that they were all asking for the immediate release of the human rights activist, who had by then spent 10 days in prison.

Barr. Effiong, who is based in Lagos, had flown into Uyo for a case he had in court.

But the presiding judge, Justice Ekaette Obot who is also the Akwa Ibom State chief Judge had ordered a one month prison sentence on Barr. Inibehe Effiong, who was immediately bundled into prison custody, without following due process. Barr Inibehe had asked the judge to excuse the armed policemen from the courtroom, which, in the first instance, already had policemen in court, who by statute ,are not armed.

The action of the Akwa Ibom Chief Judge has raised great concerns across the nation, with the Nigerian Bar Association making spirited attempts to secure the release of the lawyer.

The groups who took part in the rally, comprising #NudeNigeria, the Citizens Liberation Movement, and the Itu Youth and Students Group from Itu Local Government Area were demanding the immediate release of Barr Effiong, insisting that he is not a criminal.

The organiser of the peaceful protest, who is also the Convener of #NUDENIGERIA, Princess Mikki Attah addressed the media at the rally, saying that her NGO is involved in matters affecting the society such as street children and child labour.

However, she was shocked to hear that Barr. Inibehe Effiong had been thrown into prison custody.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that due process was not followed before he was clamped into prison.

Moreso, the presiding judge completely breached all court procedures and brought in heavily armed police officers into the court room, bearing AK47 rifles even while the court was sitting.

Speaking further, Princess Mikki revealed that “a courtroom is just like an airport, and nobody, not even the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has the right to bring armed personnel into any courtroom.

“That is sacrosanct. That is why we have come out nude to insist on the immediate and unconditional release of the human rights lawyer, Barr Inibehe Effiong.”

Students from tertiary institutions across the state, even from as far as Eket Ikot Osurua in Akwa Ibom State travelled into Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital to participate in the rally.

Student Union Leader, Enwongo Abasi Francis was also present.

Also, the Convener of Citizens Liberation Movement, Mr Ofonime Honesty said the human rights groups deemed it necessary to join others in demanding for the release of their Comrade, Inibehe Effiong who had been incarcerated for simply arguing with the Judge for allowing armed security personnel into the Court room during the trial of a case.

On his part, Obong Ubong Akpan, Youth Leader in Itu LGA said, “we are simply here to address the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot to immediately release our brother, Barr. Inibehe Effiong, unconditionally”.

He wondered why Inibehe Effiong was thrown into prison for alleged contempt without fair hearing.

Before this time, upon hearing of the jailing of Barr. Effiong, the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Barr Olumide Akpata had sent his National Vice Chairman to Akwa Ibom State to fast track efforts towards the release of Inibehe Effiong.

Concerning the situation, the NBA President has issued a statement thus:

“Last week, I provided an update on the efforts being made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) towards securing the release of our colleague, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, who was remanded in custody on the order of the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State on account of alleged contemptuous conduct in Her Lordship’s court.

“Unfortunately, attempts to secure Mr. Effiong’s release through sustained engagements at different levels have been unsuccessful with the Chief Judge indicating that she was unwilling or unable to further entertain the matter.

“In the circumstance, the NBA is left with no choice but to work on an appeal against the decision of Her Lordship, and I have instructed the NBA team to work with Mr. Effiong on an immediate appeal.

“This is not the outcome that we had expected because there is a high chance that Mr. Effiong would serve out his one-month custodial term before the end of the appeal.

“Regardless of the conduct of Mr. Effiong in the courtroom on the date of the proceedings that led to his committal, one thing that has come out from the various accounts that the NBA has so far received is that Hon. Justice Ekaette Obot did not follow due process in the committal proceedings.

“Mr. Effiong was not put in the dock, told what his wrong or contempt was, given fair hearing or even an opportunity to recant or purge himself (a courtesy that the Bench should, at the minimum, extend to counsel where counsel’s conduct is said to be contemptuous).

“This on its face not only runs afoul of known practice and procedure in such cases but is also unconstitutional. In view of the foregoing and depending on the outcome of our ongoing investigations, the NBA may be forced to take this matter up with the National Judicial Council”, the NBA stated.

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