An originating summons has been submitted to the Federal High Court in Uyo, AKwa Ibom, by a group of attorneys led by human rights advocate Femi Falana (SAN) in an effort to uphold the fundamental human rights of Inihebe Effiong, a detained activist lawyer.
Justice Ekaette Obot, the chief judge of Akwa Ibom State, had sentenced Effiong to one month in prison for contempt of court on July 27, 2022.
A copy of the judgment rendered on July 27, 2022, is what the applicant is requesting in the lawsuit with the case number FHC/117/FHR/170/22, which was filed on August 15 along with an application for an accelerated hearing against Justice Obot, the only defendant.
Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), John Aikpokpo-Martins, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Ubani, Olakunle Edun, and Funmi Falana are additional attorneys who are assisting the application.
Others include Taiwo Olawanle, Joseph Eleh, Nsikak Akai, Augustine Asuquo, S.M. Oyeghe, E.E. Phillips, and Femi Aborishade.
In his plea, Effiong asks the court to rule that he is entitled to a copy of the ruling from the defendant-presided Akwa lbom State High Court, which sentenced him to prison on July 27.
The applicant further asked the court to declare that the respondent’s refusal to provide him with a copy of the judgment since July 27 despite several requests is illegal and unjustifiable.
The relief was requested on three grounds, including, among others, the respondent’s denial of the applicant’s (applicant’s) right to a fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and his (applicant’s) right to appeal the decision.
The secretary in Effiong’s chambers, Miss Aniema Akpan, submitted a five-paragraph affidavit in which she testified that the respondent had violated the applicant’s fundamental right to a fair trial by refusing to give him a copy of the judgment 14 days after his conviction despite his request for one on July 29.
The affidavit stated that the respondent found the applicant guilty of contempt of court and sentenced him to one year in prison while the applicant was representing Leo Ekpenyong in a libel case brought by Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom in suit number HU/279/2019.
The application hearing date has not been set.
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