The Chief Judge of Akwa Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Francesca Fabian Obot has ordered for the remand of Inibehe Effiong, human rights lawyer in Uyo Correctional Centre.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on the official Facebook page of Mr Effiong, a legal representative to Omoyele Sowore.
According to the statement, Mr Effiong said trouble started after Justice Obot ordered a Premium Times reporter out of the courtroom over a case that was supposed to be observed by the members of the public.
Effiong however said that he never objected to the order of the Judge but it was after he raised concern over the presence of two armed police men inside the courtroom which he said was abnormal, that the Judge directed him to step out of the bar, thereafter, ordered for his remand in Uyo prison.
The statement reads, “The Chief Judge of Akwa 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.
“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.”
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