A High Court in Uyo has delivered a stinging rebuke to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, declaring the arrest of a traditional worshipper linked to the Ekpo masquerade as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.
In a judgment handed down on Friday, the court ruled that Mr David Effiong’s detention, along with the seizure of the individual behind the Ekpo mask, had no legal basis. The presiding judge ordered their immediate and unconditional release, insisting that the authorities had overstepped their powers.
The court further directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages to Mr Effiong for infringing on his rights, particularly his freedom of worship, which is protected under the Nigerian Constitution.
Mr Effiong was arrested by officers of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command after he was found in possession of an Ekpo masquerade mask, an object central to traditional rites in parts of the State.
The arrest took place days after Governor Umo Bassey Eno issued an executive directive banning the operation of Ekpo masquerades across Akwa Ibom, citing concerns over public order and security.
Friday’s ruling marks a significant pushback against the State’s recent clampdown on the centuries-old cultural practice, raising fresh questions about the balance between public regulation and constitutionally guaranteed religious freedoms.
The decision is expected to stir wider debate within the State’s cultural and legal circles, as traditional institutions and civil society groups assess its implications for indigenous worship and minority rights.
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