Some lawyers led by Femi Falana SAN, and Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika SAN has dragged the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaette Obot before the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of incarcerated human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong.

In the Originating Processes exclusively made available to ASKLEGALPALACE, the legal team includes Femi Falana SAN, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika SAN, John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq, Monday Ubani Esq, Olukunle Edun, Funmi Falana Esq, Femi Adeborisade Esq, Nsisak Akai, Augustine Asuquo, E.E. Philip, and Joseph Eleh.

In the Application marked FHC/117/FHn/170/22 BETWEEN: Inibehe Effiong AND Honourable Justice Ekaette Fabian Obot, the Applicant through his Counsel prayed the Court for three reliefs:

1. A DECLARATION that the Applicant who was jailed on the 27th of July on the account of contempt of court is entitled to a copy of the judgement within seven days of the conclusion of the case. 2. A DECLARATION that the refusal of the respondent to make available a copy of her judgement to the Applicant since 27th of July, 2022 despite repeated applications is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Section 36(7) of the of the Constitution of the Federal Republic, 1999 as amended. 3. AN ORDER directing the Respondent with a copy of the judgement on July 27th forthwith.

As at the time of filing this report, a date is yet to be slated for hearing.

ASKLEGALPALACE, reported that the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, have been in the eyes of a controversy which escalated after the former ordered the imprisonment of the latter on the account of contempt of court, an accusation which the Applicant insists he was allowed to defend thereby violating his fundamental right of fair hearing before the Court.

Sequel to the initiation of this fundamental rights application, the Applicant’s lawyers have lamented the obstinate refusal of the Chief Judge to produce a copy of judgement for him to utilise his right of appeal.