Jailed human rights lawyer sues Akwa Ibom CJ

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, jailed by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Obot, for alleged contempt, has sued the CJ over her refusal to furnish him with his conviction order and copies of court proceedings.

Effiong filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Uyo, asking the court to direct Justice Obot to furnish him with a copy of the July 27 judgment, The Punch reports.

He also urged the court to declare as illegal and unconstitutional, Obot’s refusal to release the conviction order, as, according to him, it violated Section 36 (7) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

READ: Judge sends human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong to prison

Counsel to the plaintiff, Femi Falana, noted that Effiong was entitled to a copy of the judgment within seven days of the conclusion of the case.

RELIABLESOURCENG.COM reports that Effiong was sent to prison on July 27 on the order of Justice Obot, for alleged contempt of court.

He served the first two weeks of his 30 days sentence at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Center of the Nigeria Correctional Service and later got transferred to Uyo Custodial Centre where he is currently serving the remaining sentence.