By M.O.IDAM, Esq.

Since the news of the committal to prison of Barr. Inibehe Effiong, by the Chief Judge of Akwa ibom state today made it’s way online, I have struggled to seek justification for this ‘reckless abuse of power’, without success.

Justice Obot’s needless and unwarranted use of his judicial powers against Barr. Iniebehe Effiong is another reminder that, Nigerian Lawyers are now the real Orphans of Nigerian society.

The average Nigerian Lawyer fights for every one in his society and in return, he’s fought by virtually every one in the society. He’s either detained by the police for attempting to offer legal service to his client in police custody or he is Committed to prison by a Judge he appears before, for daring to hold an opinion contrary to that of the judge.

Sadly, his colleagues on the other hand, keeps mum at his ordeal or in most cases, suggest that he would have been responsible for his predicament. This has become the reality of an average Nigerian Lawyer.

Today, it’s Inibehe Effiong. who’s next remains unknown. For me, Hon. Justice Ubot’s action constitutes, a reckless use of power against Iniebehe Effiong and it is unacceptable, undesirable and intolerable. I therefore, urge the NBA, to rise to the occasion and take immediate steps to ensure that Mr. Inibehe does not spend the next night in detention.

M.O.IDAM, Esq.