The Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who was jailed for contempt by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, while narrating what he saw at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Facility had said that he paid N50,000 to get a privileged cell. Effiong said,
“I was told there was what they called the ‘special cell’, some kind of ‘privileged cell’ at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre. They told me that I would either adjust to the very dehumanizing condition I find myself in the regular cell or I had to pay for a space in the so-called special cell. The officers said it would cost me N50, 000. I knew I had just two weeks to stay, but I had to pay that money so I could get a space.”
He further narrated what happened after he got to the cell. Effiong said the cell is meant for three people and there was no bed but only a small mattress but adjusted and slept on the floor despite that there was no net to protect him against mosquito bites. He said he never ate what was given to him by the prison officials because the food was is so bad that it is not befitting for dogs.
He also said he was frequently visited by people across the country and warnings were given to the warder to treat him well. But said he was later tortured because he asked them for some time to freshen up before being transferred to Uyo prison.