August 26, (THEWILL) – Nigerian lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on Friday, regained freedom after 30 days in prison for alleged contempt.
Effiong, who left the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State, at about 8:00 am on Friday, said he was ‘incarcerated’ for saying the truth.
“I consider it an honour for me to be incarcerated for the truth”, he said.
In late July, THEWILL reported that Akwa Ibom State Chief Justice, Ekaette Obot, ordered Effiong’s detention in prison for one month.
Effiong, in a tweet, alleged that Justice Obot sent him to prison “for defending Leo Ekpenyong in the libel suit filed by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.”
The lawyer explained that he complained when the judge ordered a journalist to leave the court.
“The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom ordered a Premium Times reporter to leave the court. I said my lord, we were thinking that since the proceeding is public, members of the public should be allowed to observe the proceeding. My Lord asked me to proceed with cross examination.
“I will be going to the Uyo Correctional Centre now. I have not done anything. I wasn’t even given the opportunity to say anything before the “conviction”. Two lawyers in court appealed to the Hon. Chief Judge, but my Lord insisted that I must be jailed”, Effiong said.
But on Friday, Effiong said his ‘incarceration’ will strengthen his advocacy and fight for truth and justice in the country.
“This voice, till no end, is now louder. I am back, stronger and more determined to confront the forces of oppression and to continue to speak nothing, but the hard truth to the faces of the oppressors of our people. I feel sorry for those who thought they can break my spirit by incarcerating me.”
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