Reactions As Court Jails Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effoing

Nigerians have reacted to the order for the imprisonment of a popular human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, over alleged contempt of court.

Naija News earlier reported that the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, on Wednesday sentenced Effiong to prison for defending a journalist.

In a series of tweets via his Twitter handle, Effiong said Justice Obot sent him to Uyo prison for one month for defending Leo Ekpenyong in a libel suit filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Effiong said that two lawyers in the court appealed to the Chief Judge but he insisted that the Lagos-based lawyer must be jailed.

It is understood that Justice Obot, in previous proceedings, had reportedly ordered court officials to temporarily seize phones from reporters and others in the courtroom, apparently to prevent the proceedings from being recorded secretly.

However, some netizens have taken to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter to express their reactions to the order for the imprisonment of the lawyer.

See some of the reactions.

Akwa Ibom Governor Emmanuel Udom must stop the intimidation of citizens through the judiciary. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Activist Lawyer Inibehe Effiong. #FreeInibehe #WeCantContinueLikeThis

— TELLA Temitayo (@tellatemitayo) July 27, 2022

Inibehe Effiong has today been convicted by a judge in Akwa Ibom because he felt unsafe in court. There is something about Nigerians and the tendency to misbehave when in a position of authority.What makes this more disgraceful is that it was done by a judge. It is over💔

— NK£M #PeterObi2023 (@Nkemchor_) July 27, 2022

A lawyer was immediately sent to prison in Akwa Ibom with no trial because he complained about the presence of too many armed men in court while Bandits are pardoned, corrupt politicians are celebrated, gunmen are protected & thieves want to become president of our nation. Shame!

— Chlorpheniramine #OBIdients 🇳🇬 (@VictorIsrael_) July 27, 2022

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State High Court has just sent my colleague @InibeheEffiong to 1month imprisonment for making an application in court for the CJ to recuse herself from hearing the case the Governor of Akwa Ibom filed against his client. This is impunity taken too far

— Mr. Okhai (@Head_of_Kings) July 27, 2022

Enough of the impunity and Judicial rascality! The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State must be called to order immediately. I have no doubt in my mind that the reason @InibeheEffiong was cited for Comtempt today is his GUTS! @Inibehe ESQ. MUST BE RELEASED TODAY.
ATTN:@OlumideAkpata pic.twitter.com/5Y4TGW1LeB

— Maazi Eva (@asuzu_ifeanyi) July 27, 2022

Why would Justice Ekaette the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State order Human Rights Lawyer Inibehe Effiong to be jailed of a month for raising an observation that armed policemen with AK-47 shouldn't be inside the courtroom?

bella and sheggz
Portable
Exsex
Reno Omokri#HopeAgain2023 pic.twitter.com/Szx30bu6O1

— Leaks Agency 💎 (@leaks_agency) July 27, 2022

A human right lawyer Inibehe Effiong has been sentence to prison by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom for simply defending his client. This is absolute nonsense and this impunity must stop! We demand his immediate & unconditional release.#FreeInibeheEffiong #WeCantContinueLikeThis pic.twitter.com/H0flDxgomE

— Towolawi Jamiu #EndSarsNow (@jharmo) July 27, 2022

There are also clear laid down procedures for contempt of court which the CJ of Akwa Ibom didn’t follow at all. She just sent @iniheffiong1 to prison in anger without following due process. This is a clear case of Abuse of power.

— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) July 27, 2022

This is clearly unacceptable. No lawyer should be persecuted, jailed or punished for courageously defending his client regardless of the position of who is involved. Akwa Ibom CJ has crossed the sacred lines and has shown partisanship. Inibehe Effiong must be released NOW! https://t.co/6YkrIM9XC6

— FESTUS OGUN (@mrfestusogun) July 27, 2022

Why would Justice Ekaette Obot, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State order Human Rights Lawyer Inibehe Effiong to be jailed of a month for raising an observation that armed policemen with AK-47 shouldn't be inside the courtroom?@OlumideAkpata @NigBarAssoc pic.twitter.com/3o9lHAz9S0

— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) July 27, 2022