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NBA Responds To Alleged Illegal Arrest Of Lawyer By Awka Ibom Chief Judge
Olumide Akpata, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has responded to reports that Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Justice Ekaette Obot illegally arrested popular lawyer, Inibehe Effiong during a court appearance.
According to the arrested lawyer, he was given a one-month prison sentence after requesting that the Chief Judge dismiss the armed police officers present in the courtroom as he felt unsafe.
In response, on Thursday, July 28, Akpata stated that he had spoken with the NBA Uyo Branch Chairman, who had dispatched his team to investigate and resolve this issue.
Akpata stated that they “will continue to resist all attempts to intimidate, threaten or harass our members while properly carrying out their professional responsibilities.”
In a statement, he said, “I received with great concern the news of the detention of one of our members, Inibehe Effiong, at a prison in Akwa Ibom State, on account of what transpired during proceedings in the court of the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State.
“Since receiving this news, I have been in touch with the Chairman of the NBA Uyo Branch, who has mobilised his team to look into and address this. This morning, I have also mandated the NBA 1st Vice President to visit Uyo immediately to join the ongoing efforts and ensure the release of Mr Effiong.
“The NBA is, therefore, on top of this, and I am confident that Mr Effiong will regain his freedom shortly.
“While not going into the merits of this particular matter yet, suffice it to say that the NBA is strongly opposed to, and will continue to resist all attempts to intimidate, threaten or harass our members while properly carrying out their professional responsibilities.
“The NBA will also not condone acts of indiscipline and insubordination against judicial officers from our members no matter the provocation. Ours is a rule-based profession and there is a procedure for airing grievances. The NBA 1st Vice President will also conduct a fact-finding investigation to determine what transpired and recommend next steps.”
