The second day of the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference in Enugu, on Monday, was disrupted by protesters demanding the release of Labour Party lawmaker, Bright Ngene, who is currently serving a seven-year jail term.
Naija News reports that Ngene, who represents Enugu South Urban Constituency in the State House of Assembly, was convicted by a magistrate’s court in 2024 over a community dispute.
His supporters, however, insist the conviction was politically motivated and accuse the judiciary of deliberately stalling his appeal.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Release Bar. Bright Ngene Now, a Political Prisoner of Conscience” and “NBA, Please Save Our Democracy”, the protesters alleged that at least two judges had recused themselves. At the same time, the case remained unassigned at the state High Court.
Protest leader, Benedict Kachukwu, told journalists that Ngene’s trial was flawed and called for urgent intervention from senior lawyers and the NBA leadership.
“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,” Kachukwu said.
He noted that Ngene had been incarcerated since July 2024, describing the situation as unjust and politically charged.
Security operatives stationed at the International Conference Centre, venue of the NBA conference, prevented the protesters from entering the premises.
Despite the restriction, the demonstrators staged a peaceful protest around the centre before dispersing.
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