(DDM) A High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has delivered a landmark judgment awarding damages to a masquerade arrested by the state police for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship activities.
DDM gathered that the masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, was apprehended during the Yuletide season after an alleged executive order from the state governor directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade found performing traditional rites.
Acting on this directive, police officers arrested the custodian of the Ekpo masquerade tradition and charged him to court, accusing him of violating public order regulations.
However, in a ruling that has generated national debate, the court held that Ekpo masquerade practice is a recognised form of traditional religion in Akwa Ibom State and is therefore protected under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on freedom of worship.
The presiding judge declared that the arrest and detention of Mr. Effiong infringed upon his fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity, and freedom of religion as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.
The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay financial compensation for violating his constitutional rights.
Background findings by DDM reveal that Ekpo masquerade tradition is one of the oldest cultural and religious heritages in Akwa Ibom, typically performed during festivals, ancestral rites, and community purification ceremonies.
The practice predates colonial rule and remains a major symbol of identity for various ethnic groups in the region.
Human rights advocates have welcomed the ruling, describing it as a critical reminder that Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees apply to all religious groups, traditional, Christian, Muslim, and others, without discrimination.
Legal analysts say the judgment could set a major precedent for future cases involving clashes between state directives and cultural religious freedoms.
Experts also noted that executive orders, while binding on state agencies, cannot override constitutionally protected rights unless justified by proven security concerns.
The ruling, according to observers, also reflects a growing recognition of indigenous religions as legitimate spiritual systems deserving equal protection under Nigerian law.
Civil rights groups argue that the judgment helps strengthen cultural inclusion and prevents the criminalisation of indigenous practices, which have long faced stigma and misunderstanding.
The decision is expected to influence how law enforcement agencies approach traditional festivals in the coming years, especially during high-security periods like the festive season.
For now, supporters of the Ekpo tradition see the ruling as a victory for cultural preservation, legal fairness, and religious equality, values they insist must continue to guide Nigeria’s multicultural society.
