Man Jailed in Akwa Ibom for Disobeying Court Order

A High Court in Akwa Ibom State has sentenced a man, Edem Tom Etuk in Itu Local Government of the state to one month imprisonment for disobeying court order.

The High Court sitting in Itu sentenced Etuk of Nung Ukot Itam, Itu Local Government Area to prison in accordance with Section 287 sub 3 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

In the judgement, the trial judge, Justice Ntong Ntong, convicted the contemnor and sentenced him without option of fine.

Justice Ntong further held that after the jail term, the convict shall continue to be in prison custody until he purges himself of the contempt by writing an undertaking to obey the court order, until the order is set aside by a court of competent jurisdiction.

He said time had come for citizens no matter how highly or lowly placed, to obey court orders in order to enhance and safeguard the rule of law in a democratic society.

The judge said no one was above the law and that the majesty of the court must be jealously protected by every authority and persons.

The West Itam District Court had in 2015 delivered a judgement ordering the convict to vacate a piece of land on Atiku Abubakar Avenue, Uyo. The order, he refused to obey and equally refused to appeal in a higher court.

Editors Note; Written By Okon Bassey and originally published in Thisday