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Outrage as rights lawyer sentenced for allegedly insulting judge

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A Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong Esq, has been sentenced for one month at the Uyo Correctional Centre for allegedly being rude and insolence by the Chief Judge, Justice Ekaete Obot of Akwa Ibom State.

It was gathered that Effiong Esq was a Counsel to one Barrister Leo Ekpenyong, Abuja based legal practitioner who was in legal suit against the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel over defamation.

It appeared like a drama when Justice Ekaette Obot made an order to remand Effiong Esq in the correctional facility to purge himself of insolence and dishonorable acts that tend to bring the court to disrepute.

It was on the last day of the hearing of a libel case instituted by Governor Udom Emmanuel against Barr Leo Ekpenyong when the trouble broke out.

Effiong Esq, alleged to have constantly accused the State Chief Judge of being biased, asking her to recuse herself from handling the case.
A development that upset the Chief judge to have made the remand order of Effiong.

Speaking on the decision of the court, Counsel to Governor Emmanuel, Samuel Ikpo said he was shocked that, Barr. Effiong could utter a damning and profane utterances against the judge.

“I believe that when he comes out of the correctional facility, he will learn how to conduct himself before a court.

“I wondered why Inibehe could disobey an order given to him by the judge, who asked him to take off his wig and step aside from the bar and he choose to remain obstinate.

“A lawyer should not allow himself to be used by one client to destroy his reputation before all the judges.

“I think Justice Obot has really been patient with him all these while, even as a lawyer, I could not tolerate the young lawyer’s conduct”. Barr Ikpo noted.

It was learnt the incident occurred few minutes later when the Judge walked into the Court Room with battery of armed mobile policemen on Wednesday.

In a swift reaction to the judge’s behaviour, Effiong said he acted in such manner having suspected the judge of her evil intention by coming to the court with two armed mobile policemen.
He added that, the practice was strange as he felt unsafe.

Effiong Esq further said, “I have just been sent to Uyo Prison by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, for one month for defending Leo Ekpenyong in the libel suit filed by Governor Udom Emmanuel”.

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