News

MASQUERADE HAS RIGHT TO PERFORM BY ITS ADHERENTS – COURT

February 23, 2026 • Dons Eze • 1 min read

A court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, has affirmed the right of Mr. Effiong, the Masquerade who was arrested and detained for allegedly disturbing public peace while participating in a masquerade .

In a landmark ruling, the court has sided with the Masquerade, affirming the rights of its adherents in Akwa Ibom State.

The court not only ordered the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Effiong (the masquerade) but also mandated the Akwa Ibom Government to pay damages for infringing upon his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

This ruling underscores the legal protection afforded to traditional religious practices in Nigeria, reinforcing the importance of respecting diverse forms of worship.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.