AMNESTY International Nigeria (AI-Nigeria) has called on Nigerian authorities to immediately release jailed human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, and drop all charges against him.
Amnesty described Effiong’s committal to prison on alleged contempt of court as a travesty of justice by the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot, sentenced the lawyer to on 27th July 2022 to 30 days imprisonment over what she held as “unruly behaviour,” Effiong’s objection to the presence of armed police operatives in court.
In a message posted on its official Twitter handle on Tuesday, Amnesty, said the committal process was bereft of due process. “The entire process was a travesty of justice and direct affront on his lawful professional duty as a lawyer,” the tweet reads.
Amnesty also condemned the judge’s action, saying it was fair for journalists to record court proceedings and report to the public. “The right to fair and public hearing must be observed at every turn during judicial proceedings. This includes access to the courts and by extension to journalists who wish to observe, record, report and disseminate court proceedings for the public.”
