By Editor

-Says “I want to thank my Lord for the well needed vacation she gave me” -Urges CJ of Akwa Ibom, Hon. Justice Obot to release CCTV footage of that day’s court proceedings to clear facts -Thanks Olumide Akpata led administration, Falana SAN and others for support -Secures release of 17 inmates while in prison

Human Rights Activist and lawyer, Inibehe Effiong had been released from the custody of Nigerian correctional centre, Uyo Facility as supporters and sympathizers planned a freedom March to welcome him.

Inibehe who exhausted his one month commital by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, today, was seen in a Facebook Live video shared by Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, walking out of the prison facility.

In a tweet by one of the supporters, Chidi Odinkalu sighted by the Nigeria lawyer, Mr. Odinkalu made it known to the public that today was the release date of Mr. Inibihe Effiong who had been convicted last month for contempt of Court. According to Mr. Odinkalu, the management of the Uyo Correction Center asked Mr. Effiong to leave quietly as early as 6.00 am to avoid any scene to be created, however Mr. Inibihe Effiong has refused to do so, promising to let the world known he was out hence the march of freedom.

“#InibeheIsComing: The management of @CorrectionsNg in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State asked @InibeheEffiong to leave the prison silently at 6.00 hrs today. He’s told them world knew when he was sent in & must know as he leaves. They’re stalling his release bcos we’re here to get him.” The tweet stated.

Also, in recent development, Mr. Effiong has been recieved by supporters after his release and marched with them in their public awareness campaign tagged the March of freedom. He granted interview to media sources after his release this morning, 26th August, 2022 stating that he had done nothing wrong prior to his arrest for contempt. “I have done nothing wrong. You know there are to types of Judges, Judge in Heaven and Judge of Conscience, and the Honorable C.J of Akwa Ibom Knows I did Nothing Wrong.

I only stated that by provisions of the Constitution, court room proceedings should be made public and then, when the CJ disagreed with me, I still insisted on to the matter was laid to rest. Also, I prayed that the two armed police men seating by my side as I was to begin cross examination be sent out of the court, and My Lord refused, but I insisted making it a formal request before the Court. I think my offence was my persistence”

According to Inibihe Effiong, it was at this point that the learned CJ of Akwa Ibom, Hon. Justice E. Obot began to write his committal order, asked him to step out of the bar, derobe himself and sentenced him to 1 month imprisonment to “purge himself of contempt”.

Effiong expressed how shock he was, and stated that he desired to clear facts now that he was out. He stated that he didn’t at any point at the CJ or bang the table, that even if he was the most stubborn or insolent lawyer, it granted the CJ no right to attribute things to him and scandalize his name which according to him was to ‘justify the unjustifiable”.

He urged the learned CJ to release the CCTV camera footage of her Court to the public so as to prove the facts right, as he treated the court with nothing but reverence, including the CJ.

On his experience in prison, Effiong stated that he was prepared. “You cannot be a lawyer who fights for the people and not expect to be thrown in prison. It is inevitable” he said. According to him, Prison was not a bad experience, all he had to do is adapt. He stated that those who laughed at him when he was incarcerated saying he would be quiet when he comes out will be in for a shock as he was not backing down anytime soon. Prison to Effiong, was another experience to solidify him as a lawyer.

Remarking on his exploits in Prison, Mr. Effiong stated that he had secured the release of 17 inmates who had no business to be in prison and has made provisions to come and defend and secure the release of more inmates. He stated that his experience and the experience of some of his inmates in which the innocents are thrown to jail calls for the revisiting of the Nigerian Criminal Justice System. “They are oppressed citizens of Nigeria. The Federal Government has abandoned them, the Akwa Ibom Government has abandoned them. Most of them are innocent and not criminals as they tag them”, Effiong said about inmates.

Mr. Effiong expressed his thanks to the Olumide Akpta led administration of the NBA, Femi Falana SAN, and other Lawyers of Conscience who stood by him and fought his conviction. He assured those that hate him that he was back and louder than. “I pity those that said that when he comes out he would be silent, the voice they so hate is now louder”.

Finally, as regards his appearance Effiong stated that it would be addressed and pleaded for time to rest.

Earlier Prof. Odinkalu had reported that the management of the Correctional Centre had insisted on Inibehe Effiong having a silent release from prison.

Inibehe Effiong is a vocal Human Rights Activist and Lawyer who was committed to one month in prison for contempt by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, on the 27th of July.

His incarceration had since generated controversies and drawn criticism to the judiciary, even as efforts by the Nigerian Bar Association and other Civil Society Groups to secure his freedom before now ended in futility.