Uduak Ikono, Esq.

27/08/2025

27/07/2024

At a workshop on Justice Sector Assessment in Nigeria held on the 22nd July, 2024 in Abuja; and organized by Public and Private Development Center.

In preparation for the field work, challenges impeding the justice system in Nigeria were discussed in that interactive event, recommendations that would enhance access to justice especially of vulnerable and marginalized groups were made, and options that would improve the rule of law were equally suggested for policy - making.

10/03/2024

Who is/are person(s) unknown in law?

Case Law: HASSAN v. LIMAN (2022) LPELR-58120 (CA)

Issue:

WORDS AND PHRASES - "PERSON UNKNOWN" -

Meaning of "person unknown"

Principle:

"In law, who then can be referred to as 'Persons Unknown'? 'Persons Unknown' have been defined to refer to natural persons whose name or real identity is not known to the Claimant at the time of instituting the action in Court. See Monsuru Davies & Ors V. Prince Tajudeen Odofin & Ors (2017) LPELR-41871 (CA)." .
Per BIOBELE ABRAHAM GEORGEWILL, JCA (Pp 15 - 16 Paras F - B).

26/01/2024

Yesterday, the 25th day of January, 2024, we received Goodnews Elijah Edet, a boy of six years old and a survivor of violence against persons. Accompanying him were his mother, Mrs. Mbet-Obong Elijah Edet and Mr. Augustine Udoh of Brokeline Foundation.

Goodnews is an insigne of Asanting Nkwono in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, who was physically assaulted by one Mr. Sunday Akpan Akpabio. More worrisome are threats to the life of the survivor by the perpetrator, which should not be dismissed with levity.

Violence against persons is a crime and a tort. While we have petitioned the Attorney - General of Akwa Ibom State to commence criminal action against the perpetrator, we are considering taking a civil action against him as well.

18/01/2024

Say no to violence against persons

Violence against persons is prohibited in all ramifications. This crime, which comes in various forms, has taken an unimaginable proportion in society.

Goodnews Elijah is a boy of six years old from Asanting Nkwono, Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom Sate. He was brutally assaulted by one Mr. Sunday Akapbio (otherwise called Utasi) on the 3rd day of December, 2023. Justice must be served.

Say no to violence against persons. Report perpetrators and violators

23/12/2023

As Justice Joy Unwana regains freedom, let the 8 abducted corps members enjoy the same right

Justice Joy Unwana, a high court judge in Oron, abducted by gunmen on Monday this week, has been released. Governor Umo Eno received his Lordship after the release.

According to press reports, the release was coordinated by the Ministry of Internal Security. Meanwhile, behind the Ministry's success in securing the release of the judge, is the Akwa Ibom State Government.

I commend Governor Umo Eno for his swift action in getting the judge off the hook of those dreaded criminals. I regret all the cruel, sad and inhumane experiences His Lordship had gone through in the hands of the abductors. With such an assault on the judiciary, justice will be served on the perpetrators, sooner or later.

However, I wish to also remind the governor that the eight (8) abducted corps members from Akwa Ibom State on the 26th of August, 2023 while on board an AKTC bus to Sokoto are still in the abductors' den.

It must be recalled that the abductors demanded for Four Million Naira per head of the corps members for their release. Their parents could not afford such huge sum of money taking cognizance of the present economic realities in Nigeria. Upon bargaining with the daredevil abductors, the parents agreed to pay a Five Million Naira ransom for all eight victims. The parents painfully raised the money, and two parents volunteered to deliver the money to the abductors in Zamfara State and secure the release of these corps members. Their plan hit a brick wall, as the abductors only released the injured victim and refused to release the other corps members after collecting Five Million Naira. Rather, they demanded for an additional Five Million Naira and three power bikes. These citizens of Akwa Ibom are still in the abductors' den.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that the matter has received very wide publicity, our security personnel and political leaders are behaving as though they have not heard about it. Why? They or their family members are not directly affected.

I am therefore calling on the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno to liaise with relevant stakeholders, intervene and secure the release of those abducted corps members. Four months in the custody of abductors is more than sufficient to cause emotional and psychological trauma for the families of those corps members.

08/11/2023

In Gombe State, this Upper Area Court Judge was mercilessly beaten by villagers while visiting a locus. This shows not only how bad the security situation in Nigeria has become but how deeply low our respect for human rights is. The perpetrators should be apprehended and made to face the wrath of the Law.

Meanwhile, judges should always go along with security personnel whenever there is need for a visit to locus in quo no matter the proximity.

13/10/2023

WANTED

An office secretary is wanted in a law firm in Uyo. A male is preferred. While he must be resident around the neighborhood of Nwaniba axis of Uyo town, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, having the following skills and qualities is an asset.

✓General knowledge of office management;
✓Ability to exercise high initiative, and the discretion required to handle confidential documents and information is a must;
✓Excellent oral and written communication skills;
✓Strong multitasking and priotizing skills;
✓Efficient in Microsoft Word;
✓Respectful and compassionate demeanor; and
✓Hospitable in dealing with clients and other key stakeholders.

Qualified and interested person (s) should send a brief covering letter to my messenger with the following information:
√Name
√Address
√Mobile Number.

06/10/2023

At the Qfest in Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. It's been a moment of learning with fun all through.

26/09/2023

The law is that during divorce a party is only entitled to half or part of any property when same proves that the property is jointly owned or both parties contributed to the acquisition of the said property or the other party can show he or she sacrifices something to enable the other party to acquire that property. See Section 72 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, (MCA) 1970. See also the case of OGUNJOBI V. OGUNJOBI (2021) LPELR-52894 (CA) Pp. 38-42, Paras. C-A.

By virtue of Section 70 of the MCA, either of the parties is entitled to maintenance. See the case of OMOGIATE V. OMOGIATE (2021) LPELR. 56018(CA) Pp.31-32, Paras B-A. However, award for maintenance is in special circumstances and at the discretion of the Court taking into consideration the custody, the welfare of the children (below 18 years) and source of income of the parties.

21/09/2023

As a consumer, are you protected in Nigeria? The answer to this question is, Yes. Who then protects the consumers in Nigeria?

The Consumers Protection Council. This Council was established under the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap 25, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. It was enacted to promote and protect the interest of consumers over all products and services. It is empowered to, amongst other things; eliminate hazardous and substandard goods from the market; speedily redress consumers' complaints; and end the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers.

In case you have any issues with products or services, reach out to any of their offices nearest to you.

10/09/2023

STARTING AFRESH CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

"But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over." Jeremiah 18:4 (NLT).

A vast majority of people have lived miserable lives because of fear starting all over again. God destroyed the old earth and started all over. He is planning to have a new heaven and a new earth! ( Isaiah 65:17). Sometimes, the best way to achieve enduring victory and resounding success is by abandoning the ugly past and having a new start.

May God open our spiritual eyes to discern where we may need to start afresh so that we fulfil our purposes for our lives in Jesus Christ name. Amen.

Good morning.