Lawyers petition magistrate over alleged compromise, abuse of power 

From Ene Asuquo,Calabar

A group of legal practitioners from the law firm of M.O Nyiam & Associates have  petitioned his worship, Magistrate Agbor Ralph  Achere-Achere of custodial service decongestion Court 3, Calabar for alleged misconduct and abuse of power.

The petitioners  asked the Cross River state chief judge/ chairman, State Judicial commission, to thoroughly investigate the magistrate and possibly sanction him  if found wanting.

Team leader for the legal practitioners, Mr. Ikpi Eyong Esq. disclosed this during a chat with our correspondent Friday in Calabar.

A petition dated February March 5,2025 signed by the group leader for the legal practitioners, Inyang Eyong Esq, addressed to the state chief judge (CJ)/chairman Cross River State Judicial Service Commission  Hon. Akon Ikpeme,sighted by our correspondent, called for urgent investigation into the allegations.

The petition which also copied the National Judicial Council and Nigeria Bar Association reads, “We request that the commission investigates this matter thoroughly and take prompt action to address the injustice perpetrated by the magistrate.

Tinubu committed in youths, women empowerment, economic stability of Nigeria,  -SSA, Nweze 

The petition reads, “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 said.

The petition which copied the 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 citing 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. 

But in a swift reaction to the allegations, His worship Magistrate Agbor Achere-Achere, who did not explain the exact date that the traditional ruler will be released, faulted the lawyer’s allegations stressing that the traditional ruler will be released at the appropriate time.

When asked why he failed to sign  Iso’s release, he said that issue is a technical issue that needs caution.