Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State have assaulted and tortured human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, using blunt instruments to forcefully shave off his beard, SaharaReporters Reports.

The lawyer was injured in the process.

Inibehe was jailed by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot for alleged contempt.

The lawyer was on Wednesday secretly transferred from the Ikot Ekpene Medium Security Custodial Center to the Uyo Custodial Center.

Meanwhile, the illegal imprisonment has attracted condemnation from civil society organisations and many Nigerians.

A non-governmental organisation, ‘Nude Nigeria-The Best Man,’ in collaboration with Next-of-Kin and some concerned youths of Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State last Saturday, took to the streets to protest the incarceration of Effiong.

The protesters, who displayed placards with inscriptions such as: “Injury to one is injury to all”, “Free Inibehe Effiong Now!”, “Justice for Inibehe Effiong,” and “We demand immediate release of Inibehe,” called on to the Judge to immediately order the release of the lawyer.

Addressing journalists during the joint protest in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the convener of ‘Nude Nigeria-The Best Man’, Princess Mikki Attah, expressed disappointment over the continued incarceration of Effiong whom she described as a law-abiding citizen.

She said she decided to join other voices in calling for Effiong’s release after learning about how Effiong was sent to jail for asking the Chief Judge to send security men out of the courtroom.