Uyo Federal High Court Dismisses Fundamental Human Rights Case Filed Against Mr Onofiok Luke For Lack Of Merit

By Okodi Okodi

The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has dismissed the fundamental human rights case filed against the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barrister ONOFIOK LUKE.

Recall that Dr DAVID EMMANUEL UDOH, chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Eket Branch in Akwa Ibom state, had dragged the speaker to court for alleged violation of his rights back in June 2016.

Delivering his judgment today, Justice FATUN RIMAN held that the applicant failed to substantially prove his case before the court, and dismissed the case for lack of merit.

Speaking with newsmen after the judgment, Barrister EKEMINI UDIM, lead counsel to Mr LUKE, hailed the court declaring the speaker innocent of all charges brought against him.
On his part, counsel to the applicant, Barrister INIBEHE EFFIONG, said the judgment was unacceptable.
He therefore said his client will review the judgment to determine whether or not to deploy the option of appeal.

However, Barrister INI EMEMOBONG, a member of the speaker’s legal team, said his client and his team of lawyers, will be ready to meet the applicant in the appellant court.
The fundamental human rights case was filled on the 8th of September, 2017 against Mr ONOFIOK LUKE.

The applicant had sought various relieves in the case, including the sum of N5 hundred million naira in damages.