Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has ordered Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel to immediately release human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong who was sent to Uyo prison while in court representing his client against the governor.
SERAP disclosed that it will be suing the governor if Effiong is not immediately released, adding that it would sue the Governor and the Buhari administration over Effiong’s unlawful detention and the apparent misuse of the justice system.
According to SERAP, “Sending a lawyer to prison simply for representing his client in court is a blatant violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Lawyers should never be arrested or detained for representing their clients in court or identifying with their clients’ causes, not even when handling a libel case instituted by a state governor.”