Inibehe Effiong (born 21 December 1988), is a Nigerian human rights lawyer, activist, social commentator, and litigation lawyer.[1][2][3] He is the legal adviser of the African Action Congress.[4]
Inibehe Effiong | |
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| Born | Inibehe Effiong 21 December 1988 |
| Alma mater | University of Uyo |
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Early life
editEffiong was born in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in 1988. He attended the Presbyterian Senior Science School and proceeded to the University of Uyo, where he obtained a Bachelor of Law degree and was call to bar in 2015.[5]
Activism
editIn August 2020, Effiong filed a charge against the National Broadcasting Commission for arbitrarily amending the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and increasing the fine for hate speech from NGN 500,000 to NGN 5,000,000.[6]
From 5 June 2021, to 13 January 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria banned Twitter, which restricted its operation in the country. Inibehe filed a suit at the federal high court against the Federal Government of Nigeria, former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and the then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to obtain an order restraining the government from banning Twitter.[7]
In March 2023, Effiong criticised Nigeria's State Security Services for adopting the name Department of State Security Services and considered it illegal.[8]
Detention
editOn 27 July 2022, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Obot, ordered Effiong to be remanded in prison for contempt.[9] While in a correctional facility, he claimed to have been subjected to torture by the prison official,[10] but the claim was refuted by the Nigerian Correctional Service.[11]
The imprisonment of Inibehe generated national controversies as human rights organizations, including Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and Amnesty International, Nigeria Labour Congress called for Inibehe's release. At least 26 civil society organisations calling for Inibehe's release submitted a petition to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.[12]
The Nigerian Bar Association threatened to file a petition with the National Judicial Council, and many notable Nigerian lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria such as Femi Falana and Kayode Ajulo, condemned Effiong's detention. Kayode Ajulo described Effiong’s imprisonment as "an abuse of judicial authority."[13]
Human rights lawyer and writer, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, described Effiong as “a courageous, vigorous, and brilliant advocate who is destined to become a phenomenon in Nigeria’s legal profession.”[14]
Award and Recognition
editEffiong received several awards and recognitions base on human rights, social justics and democracy in the Nation, such as, 2022 Gani Fawehinmi Outstanding Impact Award.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Inibehe Effiong: Impunity in the land of promise". Punch Newspapers. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ Ugwu, Francis (2024-01-25). "My father fled North, abandoned everything he worked for - Inibehe Effiong laments Plateau killings". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
- ^ Princewill, Nimi (2022-11-10). "TikTokers caned and ordered to wash toilets as court rules they defamed Nigerian governor". CNN. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ Oloniniran, Gbenga (2022-07-27). "Imprisonment: Release lawyer now, AAC tells A'Ibom CJ". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "Inibehe Effiong: Defender of the defenceless who was put behind bars". Skabash!. 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ Akinkuotu, Eniola (2020-08-18). "Lawyer sues Lai Mohammed, NBC for hiking hate speech fine to N5m". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "Twitter ban: Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong sues FG, Malami, Lai Mohammed". Trending News -. 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ Ochuba, Ogechukwu (2023-03-07). "DSS vs SSS: Inibehe Effiong Questions Legality of Security Agency's Name Following Social Media Debut". The Metro Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ Igwe, Ignatius (2022-07-27). "Court Remands Human Right Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong For Contempt". Channels Television. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "How I was tortured while in prison -Lawyer Inibehe Effiong". Punch Newspapers. 2022-09-05. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ Udonquak, Aniefiok (2022-08-12). "NCS debunks torture of human rights lawyer in A/Ibom -". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "CSOs petition UN over Inibehe Effiong's incarceration". Premium Times Nigeria (in German). Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "Falana, Ajulo Condemn Illegal Imprisonment Of AAC Legal Adviser, Inibehe Effiong By Akwa Ibom Chief Judge, Say Victim Committed No Offence". Sahara Reporters. 2022-07-31. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "Top 10 quotes on Inibehe Effiong's incarceration". Premium Times Nigeria (in German). Retrieved 2023-12-22.
- ^ "Inibehe Effiong – PrivCon Nigeria". Retrieved 2024-09-04.