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Inibehe Effiong’s One Month Jail Term without Trial Bothers Me – Ubani
I have been careful not to jump into this matter of imprisonment of Mr Inibehe to avoid being accused of hasty intervention. Effiong is my friend and sort of a “brother”. He is known for his courage, straightforwardness and perhaps bluntness.
His defence of one Leo Ekpeyong for defamation case brought by His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel, the Governor of Akwa Ibom has been turbulent.
The chief judge has threatened to jail him even before now. The threats for the jail was because Mr Effiong has sought to defend the cause of his client in a way that the Chief Judge considers an affront to her authority as a judge.
An application for the Chief Judge to recuse herself from handling the case is still pending and has not been heard before the commencement of trial today. For a litigation lawyer, such a procedure is erroneous and a presumption that the judge is indeed biased going by the allegation of Mr Effiong.
Back to today when the incident of imprisonment took place. At the commencement of proceedings, it was reported that Mr Effiong politely reminded Her Lordship of the pending application for recusal. Her lordship ignored the counsel and ordered commencement of trial. In the middle of the trial, a journalist of Premium Times covering the proceedings was ordered to leave the courtroom. Mr Effiong politely reminded Her Lordship that the court room is a public place, and besides the trial is not a secret trial. Again her Lordship ignored him.
It was at this juncture that Mr Effiong raised the issue of the two policemen who allegedly were armed with AK 47 who were seated in the courtroom at the instance of the Chief Judge.
Are those armed police providing security to the judge, court, or to the litigants? Was Mr Effiong rightly or wrongly alarmed by their presence? Does he not have a right to express his fears especially in the light of the order asking a journalist covering the trial to go out?
What is the contempt here? Is it his expression of fears of the presence of the armed policemen in the court? Now what is the procedure to try contempt whether in the face or ex-facie curiae?
Is raising fears about the presence of armed policemen evidence of contempt in the face of the court? What is the content of the contempt here please? Somebody should help me out. Did he abuse the judge or interfere in the administration of justice in the way he responded to the court during the trial? What could be the situation that warranted the contempt trial?
Is Her Lordship angry because of the application for her to recuse herself? Is that contemptuous? Assuming but not conceding that it is, what is the right procedure to try a Defendant for contempt ex-facie curiae? Was that procedure complied with in the present circumstance?
One month jail term for an offence which trial process is in clear doubt is something that bothers me.
I must tell you that I am eager to hear the side of the Court on this matter. Everyone is entitled to a fair hearing including the Chief Judge.
If the judge was over hyper-active in handling this Effiong’s matter, be rest assured that this conviction will be set aside by the appellate court for being erroneous.
Spidel in which I am the chairman will take a position in the interest of the Public when the full facts of what transpired in the court today are fairly disclosed or revealed. We await the reaction of the court or any lawyer who was present during the proceedings. God forbid the day a lawyer becomes a “Criminal” for defending a client. May it never come!
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that it would never be intimidated, distracted, or silenced in its push to realize a better Nigeria.
Spokesman of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said this in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed David Mark’s leadership of the party.
Abdullahi said the judgment has affirmed that the Mark and Rauf Aregbesola leadership of the party is legitimate.
Abdullahi said: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) congratulates all our members and leaders across the country on today’s Supreme Court ruling which affirmed the leadership of our party under Senator David Mark as National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary.
“Today’s decision is a clear affirmation that our party, its structures, and its leadership under our National Chairman, Senator Mark, and our National Secretary, Ogbeni Aregbesola, are legitimate.
“We commend the five-man panel of the Supreme Court, whose unanimous judgment has today done great credit to the judiciary in our country and our political system.
“However, while we welcome this judgment, we do not mistake it for the end of the struggle. The events leading up to this moment have exposed a troubling pattern of interference, bad faith, and attempts to weaken opposition voices in Nigeria.
“Let it be clearly stated: the ADC will not be intimidated, distracted, or silenced. We remain resolute in our mission to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.
“We therefore urge all our members, supporters, and democratic stakeholders across the country to remain vigilant.”
The campaign team of Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has announced that their leader, who is Governorship aspirant, has formally purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections in Lagos State.
The development was disclosed in a press statement issued on Wednesday by Gbenga Ogunleye, spokesperson for the Jandor campaign organisation, marking a significant step in Adediran’s bid to contest for the state’s top office.
According to the statement, the move underscores Adediran’s commitment to due process and strict adherence to the party’s internal democratic procedures.
The governorship aspirant also reiterated his alignment with the party’s decision to adopt direct primaries for all elective positions, expressing optimism that the process would enhance grassroots participation, strengthen unity within the party, and promote inclusiveness in the emergence of candidates.
Jandor further reaffirmed his loyalty to the National Leader of the APC and President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while also paying tribute to party leaders in Lagos State for their continued guidance and commitment to progressive ideals.
He also extended gratitude to members of the JAGABAN–JANDOR 2027 Movement, young Lagosians, and supporters who contributed financially towards the purchase of the nomination forms, commending their dedication and belief in his leadership capacity.
Jandor assured party members and residents of Lagos State that his governorship ambition is rooted in unity, inclusiveness, and a commitment to sustaining and advancing good governance under the APC platform.
All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Samuel Ajose, has declared that the endorsement of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the next governor by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) will not stand.
GAC, regarded as the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, endorsed Hamzat, as its consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The decision was reached during a closed-door meeting held at Lagos House, Marina, indicating an early alignment within the ruling party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Speaking after the session, GAC leader, Tajudeen Olusi, said members unanimously agreed on Hamzat, expressing confidence in his ability to sustain and build on the state’s developmental progress.
Olusi explained that the meeting was convened to deliberate on the party’s forthcoming primaries and assess the governorship position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking about the GAC adoption of Hamzat as Lagos APC consensus 2027 governorship candidate on Arise News on Tuesday, Ajose said that Sanwo-Olu and others are trying to force President Tinubu into making a decision.
“I don’t think our president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is giving in to what they are doing.
“What they are just trying to do is to coerce him into taking a decision, and I don’t think that decision will stand.”
