A veteran investigative journalist and farmer, Ibanga Isine, has lamented his woes following the willful destruction of his farms by armed herdsmen and his failed bid for justice. In a statement which he issued yesterday, Friday, June 20, 2026, Mr. Isine lamented his humiliation in court by officials and the magistrate handling his matter. Below, unedited, is his heart-rending account and cry for justice:

"MY HUMILIATION IN COURT, DENIAL OF FAIR HEARING, AND THREAT TO PRESS FREEDOM IN AKWA IBOM STATE"

I, Ibanga Isine, investigative journalist, farmer, and complainant in the case of Commissioner of Police versus Abdullahi Yusuf, consider it necessary to place on public record the deeply troubling events that happened June 18, 2026, at Magistrate's Court 7 in the Uyo Magisterial District of Akwa Ibom State.

What happened in the courtroom was not only a personal humiliation. It raised serious issues about judicial impartiality, the constitutional right to a fair hearing and freedom of the press. It also questions the transparency in judicial proceedings and the willingness of public institutions to protect law-abiding citizens who seek justice through lawful means.

For months, I have sought justice following repeated invasions of my farms by herders and their cattle, who I learned are largely owned by Akwa Ibom politicians and elites. My family and business partners invested heavily in commercial agriculture because the state government identified agriculture as a key pillar of its development agenda. We believed that journalists, like other professionals, should be able to venture into productive sectors of the economy and achieve some degree of financial independence.

Today, we operate two large farms in different parts of Uyo Capital City where we cultivate tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, pepper, pumpkin leaves, cassava, yam, and plantain in commercial quantities. Through these investments, we have created about 20 direct jobs and numerous indirect jobs. We have also given back to society through food donations and the sponsorship of community-based investigative journalism projects.

Unfortunately, our farms have been invaded by herders and cattle on at least five occasions. During these invasions, approximately one hectare of cucumber was destroyed. Another hectare of okra was infected and ruined after cattle trampled through the farm. The animals also destroyed a sophisticated irrigation system covering our farms along Airport Road and inside Shelter Afrique Estate, causing losses running into several millions of naira.

Beyond the destruction of property, farm workers were chased away, and on one occasion, a herder pulled out a cutlass and pursued me after invading our farm.

Following repeated attacks, I personally petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Baba Azare, who ordered that the herders responsible be apprehended. Regrettably, despite the Commissioner's directive, the invasions continued.

I must also place on record that my repeated efforts to obtain assistance from the Akwa Ibom State Task Force Against Open Grazing yielded little result. Several calls and messages to the Commissioner for Internal Security seeking intervention were not acted upon while the destruction of our investments continued.

Eventually, one suspect, Abdullahi Yusuf, was arrested and arraigned. I was later informed by the Investigating Police Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Alomona, that the suspect stabbed a police officer with a dagger while attempting to escape. If a suspect could attack an armed police officer inside the Police Headquarters, one can only imagine the dangers faced daily by unarmed farmers and rural residents confronted by violent herders.

However, my ordeal did not end with the destruction of my farms. As complainant in the matter, I repeatedly sought information from the police prosecutor, Mr. Blessing Essien, regarding the status of the case. On multiple occasions, hearing dates were not communicated to me, resulting in adjournments while I remained unaware of proceedings involving a matter arising directly from my petition.

Each time I sought information, the prosecutor explained that he was busy. It was only after considerable pressure that he reluctantly informed me that the matter had been scheduled for hearing on Thursday, June 18, 2026, and insisted that I must be present in court. Curiously, the particulars of the case were not disclosed to me until barely an hour before the commencement of the hearing.

What is even more disturbing is that while insisting that I must be present in court, the prosecutor had already filed an application requesting the court to stand down the matter and was himself absent from the proceedings.

Before the hearing commenced, journalists from Pioneer Newspaper, Inspiration FM, and XL FM arrived at the court premises to cover what is widely believed to be one of the first prosecutions arising from the enforcement of the Akwa Ibom State Anti-Open Grazing Law.

The reporters arrived at least thirty minutes before the commencement of proceedings. Yet court officials refused them entry.

When I arrived and sought an explanation, the Deputy Registrar informed me that journalists would need introduction letters from their media organisations before they could be allowed to monitor proceedings. Even when the reporters presented valid identity cards issued by their respective organisations, court officials maintained their position and refused them entry.

I personally asked the Deputy Registrar to identify any law, judicial rule, or court regulation requiring journalists to present introduction letters before covering a court proceeding. No such law or rule was cited.

The treatment of the journalists suggested a coordinated effort to exclude the media from proceedings of immense public interest.

Inside the courtroom, matters took an even more disturbing turn. The court clerk, who had earlier declined to explain the exclusion of journalists, approached the Magistrate and whispered something to him.

Almost immediately, the atmosphere changed.

The Magistrate, Mr. Godwin Edemekong, became visibly angry and ordered that the two journalists who had managed to gain access to the courtroom be thrown out. He refused to allow them to introduce themselves or explain their presence. He then turned his attention to me. I immediately stood up in respect for the court.

He asked, "Who are you?" As I attempted to introduce myself, he interrupted and barked: "Get out of my court. Get out. Out." I was confused.

Respectfully, I informed the court that I was the complainant in the matter of Commissioner of Police versus Abdullahi Yusuf and that I was in court because the police prosecutor had specifically directed me to attend.

The Magistrate would not listen. Without giving any reason and without allowing me to be heard, he ordered police officers to remove me from the courtroom. Three police officers then forcefully escorted me out.

I had done nothing to disrupt proceedings. I had not insulted the court. I had not disobeyed any lawful order. I had merely appeared in court in response to the directive of the prosecutor and in pursuit of justice regarding the destruction of my property.

The humiliation was profound and very deep. More painful was the fact that I was removed from a courtroom where proceedings arising from my own complaint were listed for hearing.

The constitutional right to a fair hearing requires that parties whose interests are affected by judicial proceedings be allowed to participate meaningfully in those proceedings. Equally important is the principle that courts should remain open to public scrutiny and media coverage except where the law expressly provides otherwise.

Judicial officers are entrusted with enormous powers and responsibilities. They are expected to conduct proceedings with fairness, restraint, impartiality, dignity, and courtesy. Their conduct must not only be impartial but must also appear impartial to the public.

What occurred on June 18 raises serious concerns that deserve urgent attention from the leadership of the judiciary.

I therefore call on the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, to institute an immediate investigation into the conduct of Magistrate Godwin Edemekong and all court officials involved in the exclusion of journalists and my removal from the courtroom.

I further call on the Chief Judge to determine whether my constitutional right to a fair hearing was violated and whether established judicial procedures were followed.

I also call on the Nigerian Bar Association to investigate the conduct of the police prosecutor, Mr. Blessing Essien, regarding his repeated failure to provide accurate information about the case, his failure to notify me of hearing dates, and the circumstances surrounding his application to stand down the matter while simultaneously directing me to appear in court.

Finally, I call on Governor Umo Eno to ensure the full enforcement of the Akwa Ibom State Anti-Open Grazing Law and other relevant laws designed to protect farmers and agricultural investments.

Farmers should not be left at the mercy of lawless herders. Citizens who invest their resources in food production should not be punished for contributing to food security and economic development. The state must demonstrate that agriculture is not merely a slogan but a protected and respected sector of the economy.

The rule of law must protect farmers as much as it protects everyone else.

Let farmers breathe.

Ibanga Isine

Investigative Journalist and Farmer

June 2026

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