The second day of the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference in Enugu was briefly disrupted on Monday by a protest demanding the release of Bright Ngene, a Labour Party lawmaker currently serving in the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Ngene, who represents the Enugu South Urban Constituency, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence handed down by a magistrate’s court in connection with a protracted community dispute. However, his supporters allege the conviction was politically motivated.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the International Conference Centre, the venue of the NBA conference, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Release Bar. Bright Ngene Now, A Political Prisoner of Conscience” and “NBA, Please Save Our Democracy.”
The demonstrators accused the state judiciary of deliberately stalling Ngene’s appeal, claiming that at least two judges had recused themselves, and the case has remained unassigned at the Enugu State High Court for months.
Speaking to journalists, protest leader Benedict Kachukwu described Ngene’s incarceration since July 2024 as a miscarriage of justice.
“Due process was not followed in his trial. We appeal to the NBA and senior members of the legal community to intervene and ensure justice is done,” Kachukwu said.
Security personnel prevented the protesters from entering the conference venue. Nonetheless, they conducted a peaceful demonstration around the premises before dispersing without incident.
The NBA is yet to issue an official response regarding the protest or the allegations raised by the demonstrators.
