The second day of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference in Enugu was disrupted on Monday as protesters staged a demonstration demanding the release of Labour Party lawmaker, Bright Ngene.
Ngene, who represents Enugu South Urban Constituency in the state House of Assembly, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence delivered by a magistrate’s court in connection with a community dispute.
Supporters of the legislator, however, argue that the conviction was politically motivated. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Release Bar. Bright Ngene Now, a Political Prisoner of Conscience” and “NBA, Please Save Our Democracy”, the protesters accused the judiciary of deliberately stalling his appeal.
They alleged that at least two judges had withdrawn from the case, which remains unassigned at the Enugu State High Court.
Speaking to journalists, the protest leader, Benedict Kachukwu, described Ngene’s imprisonment since July 2024 as unjust and urged the legal community to intervene.
“Due process was not followed in his trial. We appeal to the NBA and senior lawyers at this conference to ensure justice is done,” he said.
Security operatives prevented the demonstrators from entering the International Conference Centre, venue of the NBA meeting, but they held a peaceful protest around the premises before dispersing.
