By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
Legal practitioners from M.O Nyiam & Associates legal firm Calabar yesterday petitioned his worship, Magistrate Agbor Ralph Achere-Achere of Custodial Service Decongestion Court 3, Calabar for alleged involvement in what the legal practitioners described as gross misconduct and abuse of power.
The lawyers urged the Chairman Cross River State Judicial Commission/State Chief judge (CJ) National Judicial Commission and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the magistrate and possibly sanction him if found wanting.
Team leader for the legal practitioners
Mr. Ikpi Eyong Esq. made this known to our Correspondent in brief interview yesterday in Calabar.
The team leader stated that the magistrate has violated the right of their client, Ntufam Maurice Omin -Iso when he failed to sign a document that would have get Ntufam Maurice Omin-Iso out of the correctional centre where he had been cooling his feet for a bailable offense.
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A petition dated February March 5, 2025 signed by group’s leader for the legal practitioners Barr. Inyang Eyong Esq, addressed to the state chief judge (CJ)/chairman Cross River State Judicial Service Commission Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme, sighted by our Correspondent, requested that the allegations be thoroughly be investigated.
The lawyers petition which copied the National Judicial Council and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA ) said, “We request that the commission investigates this matter thoroughly and take prompt action to address the injustice perpetrated by the magistrate.
“We are respectfully praying that the Judicial Service Commission intervenes in this matter and take disciplinary action against the erring Magistrate.
“The Commission must ensure that justice is served, ensure that integrity of the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man is upheld.
“We are writing to express our utmost concern and disappointment regarding the conduct of Magistrate Agbor Ralph Achere-Achere who has flagrantly disregarded the laws of the land and abused the judicial powers reposed on him.
“The Magistrates actions have resulted in unlawful and continuous detention of our Client, Ntufam Maurice Omin -Iso, who was remanded since February
10, 2025 and has remained in custody till date on unsubstantiated direct criminal complaint.
“On December 23, 2024, our client was whisked away from his home by unknown gunmen and on February 10, 2025 he was found in the Correctional Service Custody, Calabar.
“Having been remanded on the orders of Magistrate Agbor Ralph Achere-Achere, based on a Direct criminal Complaint filed against him by one Austin Modey,” the petition maintained.
The lawyers’ petition which copied National Judicial Council reads, “The Direct Criminal Complaint was filed on the same day, February 10, 2025 and without serving a summons on our client.
“He was arrested and illegally held in a private detention facility from December 23, 2024, till February 10 2025 when he was brought before Magistrate Agbor Ralph Achere-Achere, who in turn ordered for his remand without sighting any warrant or Investigation report.
“The magistrate refused to grant bail to our client on February 10, 2025 in a matter which is ordinarily bailable and he went ahead to remand.
“We request that the commission investigate this matter thoroughly and take prompt action to address the injustice perpetrated by the magistrate.
“His Worship Agbor Ralph Achere-Achere has failed, neglected and refused to sign our clients release warrant, thereby confirming our earlier concerns that the Magistrate is biased and has been compromised in the discharge of his duties.”
Reacting to the allegations, His Worship Magistrate Agbor Achere-Achere, denied any compromise stated that the traditional ruler will be released once he is able to meet with the bail conditions as stipulated by the law of the land.
He stated that the matter isn’t an easy one but a matter that is full of complexity and as such needs to be handled with caution due to the technicality involved.
