Akwa Ibom lawyer, Inibehe released after one month in prison

Detained human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Inibehe Effiong, has regained freedom after spending exactly one month in captivity

He was released from the Uyo Correctional Centre, along Willington Bassey Way, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, at about 7:30am on Friday to the waiting embrace of enthusiastic supporters, who had mobilised to give him a heroic welcome home.

Recall that, the lawyer was convicted to prison for contempt on Wednesday July 27, 2022 by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, during proceeding in the libel suit instituted by the governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel and Senator Effiong Bob, against Mr. Leo Ekpenyong, which was on its last day for prosecution.

Effiong was the defense counsel to Barr Leo Ekpenyong in a libel suit suits Nos HU/279/2019 and HU/273/2019 respectively.

Speaking while addressing the cheering crowd at Willington Bassey Way, Uyo, Inibehe Effiong expressed appreciation to God for making the day possible, adding that history will always vindicate the just.

Reviewing the whole episode, he said deception and lies may tarry for a while but there are two judges that cannot be deceived, the judge of heaven and judge of conscience.

He appreciated his friends, family and colleagues including the media who stood by him during the period, adding that, he considered it as an honour to be incarcerated and that the one month period was an appointment with destiny.

“I thank God for making this day possible. History will always vindicate the just. I have just finished my one month appointment with destiny. I came to the custodial centre to follow the path of my ancestors, the Gani Fawhinmi’s of this world and those who have sacrificed their personal comfort for their conviction.

“Those who visited me during my conviction would know that I was totally unbothered, unperturbed, I considered it as an honour to be incarcerated.

“I want to thank my family, the NBA led by Olumide Akpata for standing by me even lawyers of good conscience, who have not clearly heard from me, believed in me and fought to defend me, my lead counsel Femi Falana and other senior lawyers and my colleague Barr Augustine Asuquo and my friends in the media for always saying the truth.

“As I said, deception and lies may tarry for a while but there are two judges that cannot be deceived, the judge of heaven and judge of conscience.”