Chief Judge imprisons a lawyer for alleged contempt.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Justice Ekaette Obot, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, sentenced a Lagos-based activist-lawyer, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, to one month in prison yesterday for alleged contempt.

Effiong was ordered by Justice Obot to use the correctional facility to purge himself of alleged insolence and dishonourable acts that bring the court into disrepute.

The order was issued by the judge during proceedings in the case of alleged libel brought by Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel against Mr. Leo Ekpenyong.

The prosecution had until yesterday to conclude its case.

Tracknews has learned that Effiong, the lead defense counsel for Ekpenyong, has asked the Chief Judge to recuse herself from the case due to alleged bias.

Speaking about the sentence, Governor Emmanuel’s counsel, Samuel Ikpo, claimed that Effiong’s behavior was unruly, and that he was surprised that a lawyer could make such allegedly damning and profane remarks about a judge.

“I believe that when he (Effiiong) gets out of prison, he will learn how to conduct himself in court,” Ikpo said.

He claimed that Effiong disobeyed a judge’s order, which asked him to remove his wig and step away from the bar.

“A lawyer should not allow one client to smear his reputation in front of all the judges.”

“I believe Justice Obot has been very patient with him all along.” Even as a lawyer, I couldn’t stand the young lawyer’s behavior,” Ikpo added.

Effiong, on the other hand, disputed Ikpo’s story, claiming that he was an innocent victim of an unjustified exercise of power, and that he felt unsafe when the judge invited two armed mobile policemen into the courtroom and ordered the media out before proceedings began.

He claimed that the judge punished him after he requested that the police officers leave the courtroom.

Prior to his incarceration, he referenced a July 2, 2022 Premium Times report in which the judge allegedly threatened to send him to prison after his client accused her of bias in the case.

According to the report, the judge yelled at the counsel after he asked the court to hear his application, which sought the judge’s removal from the case.

“I’ll get you out of there right now, take off that robe, and put you in prison.” By the time you go to Court of Appeal and return. What exactly is this? “You are going too far,” Justice Obot reportedly warned Effiong.

“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,” Effiong said yesterday.

“A Premium Times reporter was ordered to leave the court by the Chief Judge of Akwa Akwa Ibom.” My lord, we were thinking that because the proceeding is public, members of the public should be allowed to observe it. My Lord instructed me to begin cross-examination.

“I did as instructed. I informed the court that having two armed mobile policemen seated inside the courtroom did not make me feel comfortable or safe, that it was strange, and that I felt unsafe. I requested that the judge excuse the armed police officers from the courtroom.

“The Hon. Chief Judge then told me to leave the Bar because she was sending me to prison.” She then directed the police to transport me to Uyo prison. And that I should be imprisoned for a month. I’m inside the courtroom, waiting for them to bring the conviction warrant.

“I’m off to the Uyo Correctional Centre now.” Nothing has been done by me. I wasn’t even given the chance to speak before the “conviction.” Two lawyers in court petitioned the Hon. Chief Judge, but my Lord insisted that I be imprisoned.”

“This is in a defamation suit filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel against a lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong.”

Effiong stated that the Uyo Correctional Centre turned him back a few minutes after he was taken away, citing Covid-19 protocols.

“They’re saying that because of COVID protocol, I can’t be imprisoned in Uyo and that I have to be imprisoned in Ikot Ekpene.” Uyo prison has turned me down. We’re back in court now, and His Lordship will decide where I should be imprisoned. History will vindicate the righteous.

“(I am) inside a van at Uyo prison, waiting for custody to be decided between Uyo and Ikot Ekpene.” “History will vindicate the righteous.”

According to The Nation, in high court procedure, a judge is empowered by law to punish anyone for contempt, whether in front of the court (in facie curiae) or not in front of the court (ex facie curiae).

Depending on the circumstances and the fulfillment of certain conditions, the judge may impose fines and/or jail time.