A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has accused the ruling class of striving to drive a wedge between the Bench and Bar in Nigeria’s judiciary and urged for caution amongst stakeholders to preserve the existing cordiality.

Adegboruwa said this while reacting to the detention of human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong at the Uyo Correctional Centre at the order of the Chief of the State, Justice Ekaette Obot in a proceeding earlier today at the State High Court.

His statement reads in full: “My attention has been drawn to the events happening in Uyo, Awka Ibom State, wherein the Chief Judge of the State was said to have sentenced Mr Inibehe Effiong, a colleague and an activist, to one month imprisonment for contempt of court.

I do not have the details or the full facts of the case but I am in touch with Mr Femi Falana, SAN and I also have reliable information that the Nigerian Bar Association is on top of the matter.

I appeal for caution and urge that the existing cordial relationship between the Bench and the Bar should be maintained so that we do not get distracted by the ruling class who work daily to drive a wedge between the two Siamese twins, who both man the administration of Justice system in Nigeria.

I hope that in due course, the details of the matter will unfold and we all will be well advised on the best approach in the circumstances.”