The second day of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference in Enugu on Monday was disrupted by protests calling for the release of Labour Party lawmaker Bright Ngene from the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Ngene, representing Enugu South Urban Constituency, is serving a seven-year prison sentence handed down by a magistrate’s court in relation to a local community dispute. Supporters, however, argue that his conviction is politically motivated.
Demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “Release Bar. Bright Ngene Now, A Political Prisoner Of Conscience” and “NBA, Please Save Our Democracy,” accusing the state judiciary of delaying his appeal. They noted that at least two judges had recused themselves while the case remained unassigned at the state High Court.
Advertisement
READ MORE : Sunday Igboho Tenders Apology To Ooni Of Ife, Asks For Forgivenes
Speaking to journalists, protest leader Benedict Kachukwu described Ngene’s imprisonment, which began in July 2024, as unjust. “Due process was not followed in his trial. We appeal to the NBA and senior lawyers at this conference to intervene and ensure justice is done,” he said.
Kachukwu reiterated that Ngene’s continued detention undermines the principles of justice and called on legal practitioners to advocate for a fair hearing.
