By Uko Etim

UYO — Youths on Wednesday staged a massive protest in Akwa Ibom State, demanding the release of social activist Princess Godsown Udoito after 8 months in detention.

The protesters, numbering in their thousands, flooded major streets in Eket Local Government Area carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Free Princess Udoito Now”, “Detention is Not Justice”, and “Let Her Bury Her Father”.

They marched through strategic locations within the metropolis and called on Gov. Umo Eno to intervene and secure the immediate and unconditional release of the Ekid princess, who has remained in custody since January 2026.

The youths alleged that Udoito was arrested on the orders of the governor over claims of defamation arising from her social media activities.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Solomon Nse, Youth President of Ekpene Obo group of villages in Esit Eket LGA, described her continued detention as unjust, arguing that the alleged offence was bailable under Nigerian law.

“We are calling on our dear governor to release Princess Udoito, to enable her commit to mother earth, the remains of her father who must have died because of his daughter’s continuous detention”, Nse said.

He also highlighted the humanitarian toll of her detention, noting that her children were facing severe hardship in her absence, while her father’s remains were yet to be buried because she, the family breadwinner, remains in detention. Her father reportedly died last month of a heart attack.

Nse described Udoito as a vocal advocate of good governance, justice and equity who used social media to highlight issues affecting the Ekid people, including the alleged sale of portions of the Akoiyak Forest Reserve to private companies.

He urged relevant authorities to “ensure justice and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute”.

Residents of Eket and neighbouring Esit Eket LGA said repeated appeals to the State government for her release had yielded no response.

However, Legal practitioners monitoring the case said the charge against Princess Udoito does not warrant prolonged incarceration and should ordinarily attract bail pending trial.