Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has dragged the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Obot, before a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, over her refusal to furnish him with his conviction order and copies of court proceedings, despite repeated applications.

The lawyer in the suit is praying the court to direct Justice Obot to furnish him with a copy of the July 27 judgment.

Mr Effiong also urged the court to declare as illegal and unconstitutional, the judge’s refusal to release the conviction order, as it violates Section 36 (7) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

In the suit, counsel to the plaintiff, Femi Falana, SAN, said Mr Effiong is entitled to a copy of the judgment within seven days of the conclusion of the case.

Read the reliefs sought by the Applicant below 

1. A DECLARATION that the Applicant who was jailed on the 27th of July on the account of contempt of court is entitled to a copy of the judgement within seven days of the conclusion of the case.

2. A DECLARATION that the refusal of the respondent to make available a copy of her judgement to the Applicant since 27th of July, 2022 despite repeated applications is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Section 36(7) of the of the Constitution of the Federal Republic, 1999 as amended.

3. AN ORDER directing the Respondent with a copy of the judgement on July 27th forthwith.

Effiong was committed to prison on July 27, 2022 by Justice Obot, for alleged contempt of court.

He served the first two weeks of his 30-day sentence at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Center of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

See the suit below

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