The Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance on Monday slammed human rights lawyer Barrister Inibehe Effiong, for his alleged disregard for decency in the temple of Justice and appealed to the Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, to recuse herself from the matter to avoid further desecration of the court.
The CJ had, on Wednesday, during proceedings in a libel suit by Governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Effiong Bob against Leo Ekpenyong, announced a 30-day jail term against the defense lawyer, Inihehe Effiong, for contempt of court.
Effiong’s committal to prison has generated controversies as some groups and individuals have backed the action of the CJ, while others have also blamed the CJ, describing her action as a travesty of justice.
Addressing newsmen on Monday, the group’s chairman, Barr Stephen Abia, while backing the CJ, urged her to transfer the matter to another court to avoid further desecration of the temple of justice, which the CJ has jealously guarded over the years.
Abia said that he had already called on the recent-past president, Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, Esq., to caution Inibehe for his flagrant disregard for decency which he constantly exhibits at the court during the ongoing libel suit instituted against one Mr. Leo Ekpenyong.
He said, “To avoid a continuous desecration of the temple of justice of which the Honourable Chief Judge remains the chief priest, especially, taken for granted that our learned friend, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, may not in truth be purged of such unfortunate contemptuous displays towards the court in cheap attempts to play to the gallery, we most humbly seek the relief of the Honourable State Chief Judge to consider being recused of the matter as she continues to jealously guard and protect the sanctity of the justice delivery machineries in Akwa Ibom State.”
He enjoined public members to disregard what he observed as false information being propagated by those he described as miscreants.
“The Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance had earlier urged the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata, Esq. 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 Mr. Leo Ekpenyong,” Abia added.
