From Joe Effiong, Uyo

A non-governmental organisation, ‘Nude Nigeria-The Best Man’, Next-of Kins-to late Primary School teachers and some concerned youths of Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have appealed to the Chief Judge (GJ), Ekaette Obot, to release Inibehe Effiong from prison.

The groups made the appeal to the CJ while addressing newsmen during a joint sensitisation rally and peaceful protest at the weekend in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Some of the protesters, mostly youths, carried placards with various inscriptions.

Inibehe Effiong, human rights activist and Lagos-based lawyer, but a native of Itu council of Akwa Ibom State, was sentenced to one year imprisonment on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 by the chief judge for alleged contempt.

Effiong was the defence counsel to Leo Ekpenyong in the ongoing libel case instituted against him by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Speaking during the protest, the convener of ‘Nude Nigeria-The Best Man’, Mikki Attah said her organisation was concerned over the continued incarceration of Effiong whom she described as a law-abiding citizen

Attah said after reading in the media how Effiong was sent to jail for asking the CJ to send security men out of the courtroom it attracted her organization’s attention because it is concerned with society issues, including street children.

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“We are here because of the continued incarceration of Effiong, a legal practitioner, a law-abiding citizen, who has been held in prison custody for contempt of court.

“We didn’t know he would be kept in prison till today. Today, is the 10th day he was sent to jail. So, we are here to demand, and to appeal for his unconditional release,” she said.

Also speaking, the youth President of Itu council, Ubong Akpan, said they were particularly worried that Inibehe was not given an opportunity to defend himself before he was sent to jail.

He expressed strong believe that after the peaceful protest, the chief judge would listen to their demand and effect the release of their kinsman, Effiong, from prison soon.

Similarly,  spokesperson, Next-of-Kins to the late primary school teachers in Akwa Ibom State, Benjamin Benson, said: We are here partnering the NGO, ‘Nude Nigeria’, to advocate unconditional release of Effiong who was sent to jail by Akwa Ibom State chief judge.

“It is worthy to note that Effiong had been our lawyer. When we were arrested in 2017 by the state government, nobody came for us, it was only Effiong that took up our matter free of charge and worked until he ensured we are released.

“Apart from that, Effiong raised over a million naira for three widows that were dying. So, as a group, he means a lot to us. He is very vocal as far as human rights issue is concerned. That is why we are here, to appeal that he should immediately be released from prison.”