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A group under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance (AIIA) has condemned in strong terms the recent brazen attack on the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot by a lawyer, Barr Inibehe Effiong.
In a media chat in Uyo, the group speaking through its Chairman, Barr Stephen Abia, said it was awed by the shameful attempts by a self acclaimed human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, to drag the integrity of the reverred State Chief Judge to the mud through his uncivilized and uncouth outbursts on the matter.
They particularly urged the President of the Nigeria Bar Association Olumide Akpata to caution Inibehe accordingly, following his fragrant disregard to decency which he constantly exhibits at the court during the ongoing libel suit instituted against one Barr Leo Ekpenyong.
Recall that in 2019, following the victory of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the tribunal and the victory of Senator Chris Ekpenyong over Senator Godswill Akpabio at the tribunal and Court of Appeal, Leo Ekpenyong went to the media to report that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel bribed the tribunal judges to the tune of $1Million Dollars to secure judgement.
The Governor through the then Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko wrote and urged him to retract that story and apologize to the Governor, failure of which would lead to legal action. Leo Ekpenyong insisted that he stood by his allegations against the Governor and insisted the Governor bought the judgement.
The Governor through his counsel, Barr. Samuel Ikpo filed a case of defamation against Leo Leo Ekpenyong at the State High court.
Leo Ekpenyong failed to make an appearance in court, neither did he send someone to represent him despite being served.
The court ruled in December 2020 that Leo Ekpenyong should pay a fine of N1.5Billion to the Governor as damages for libel.
Leo Ekpenyong through his lawyer, Inibehe Effiong came to the Court asking the court to reverse that judgement, that he is ready to make an appearance and defend himself of the allegation”
” The court presided over by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot sat and in the sitting on this matter.
Legal counsel to Leo Ekpenyong, Barr. Inibehe Effiong has been abusing the judge, throwing tantrums at the judge, saying that she was biased and that she should recuse herself from handling the case”.
Meanwhile, he had filed a motion against the existing ruling of the Court the same day, and was reminded that one cannot raise a motion and expect it to be addressed the same day. This made Inibehe yell in Court like one who’s birthright was being snatched from him.
The Judge faulted his childish behaviour and at intervals, threatened to send him to jail. Justice Obot further chided the young practitioner for always being pensive, impatient and legally unstable in court, an attitude she noted was unbecoming of a legal professional. He further scolded Effiong for not being in tune with legal proceedings and advised him to do so precariously.
Despite the experienced gamut of professional advice, Inibehe Effiong was still interjecting and interrupting the Judge with objections and counter-motions without caution.
Obviously worried by the nonchalance of the adamant Effiong, the Judge kept praying: “God please help me so I don’t send this man to jail”.
People who observed the proceedings also attested that the attitude of the young Lawyer was a slap to the judicial system, describing it as a show of disregard to the Judge as well as the sanctity and majesty of the Court.
“It is very shocking that Inibehe Effiong could come out and complain that a judge handling a matter as delicate as a criminal defamation is too serious and hasty in trying to dispense judgement. If one were to ask, does Inibehe want the judge to drag the case and possibly show ineptitude in dispensing judgement or is Inibehe Effiong telling us that justice delayed is no longer justice denied?”
The Chairman of Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance also noted that it was on the basis of the expediency of the case that Barr Ekpenyong, through his lawyer, Barr Inibehe Effiong, asked that the earlier judgement of December 2020 be reversed since his client was ready to make an appearance in court and defend himself.
Barr Abia who described Governor Emmanuel as a man of integrity, sound moral, a God-fearing leader, bemoaned that a lawyer who is supposedly regarded as intelligent and sound would taint the Governor’s image with such unfounded allegagtion.
“I am surprised that a self-acclaimed human rights lawyer who believes in the rule of law and who professes the sanctity of the judiciary institution could come out to cast aspersions on the very institution that he make gains from”.
“Moreso, this is one of the persons who severally has always complained about the slow and inefficacy of the judiciary system in Nigeria”
Barr Abia further recalled that Justice Obot in her magnanimity had decided to reverse the judgement she had earlier given in the course of this matter, adding that she deserves commendation and not the subtle insults from Barr Effiong who is still trying to find his footing in the profession.
The group therefore sounded a note of advice to Inibehe Effiong not to bring the sanctity and majesty of the judiciary to disrepute through unguarded utterances and actions.
The group restated its unequivocal confidence in the integrity of the judiciary in Akwa Ibom state under the watch of Justice Ekaette Obot, and urged her to keep up the course of ensuring a speedy dispensation of justice in a matter of such magnitude.
During the last hearing on the matter, on June 29, Rev. Richard Peters was docked as the last witness on the case for the claimant, Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Inibehe Effiong is said to have exhibited characters alien to the legal profession.
Observers who witnessed the court proceedings described his actions as a show of disregard to the Judge as well as the Court.
The case which which was meant to have been closed on 29th June was further adjourned to 27th and 29th of July, 2022, for closure by the claimant. Continue Reading
