By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Legal practitioners from M. O Nyiam and Associates legal firm in Calabar yesterday petitioned his lordship, Magistrate Agbor Ralph Achere-Achere of the Custodial Service Decongestion Court 3, Calabar for alledged involvement in what they described as gross misconduct and abuse of power.
The lawyers urged the Chairman Cross River State Judicial Commission/State Chief Judge, CJ, the National Judicial Commission, NJ, 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 a 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 gotten Ntufam Omin-Iso out of the correctional centre where he had been cooling his feet for a bailable offense.
A petition dated March 5, 2025 and signed by the team leader for the legal practitioners, Barr. Eyong Esq, addressed to the state CJ/chairman of the Cross River State Judicial Service Commission Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme, sighted by our correspondent, requested that the allegations be thoroughly investigated.
The lawyers’ petition which copied the NJC and the 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 JSC intervenes in this matter and take disciplinary action against the erring magistrate.
“The commission must ensure that justice is served and that the 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 nagistrate’s 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 Calabar Correctional Service custody.
“Having been remanded on the orders of Magistrate Achere-Achere, based on a direct criminal complaint filed against him by one Austin Modey.”
The lawyers’ petition further 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 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 him.
“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, Magistrate Achere-Achere denied any compromise, stating 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 complexities and as such needs to be handled with caution due to the technicality involved.
