Dozens of voters from Enugu South Urban Constituency on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Enugu, calling for the immediate release of Barrister Bright Ngene, a Labour Party (LP) candidate.
Ngene, who won the Enugu South 1 State Constituency seat during the 2023 general elections, was also recently declared winner of the constituency rerun by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Tuesday.
Despite his victory at the polls, Ngene has remained in detention at the Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre since July 28, 2024, following a judgment of the Enugu South Magistrates’ Court, which sentenced him to seven years in prison over allegations of conspiracy and stealing.
The protesters accused the Enugu State government of manipulating the process to keep Ngene behind bars and pressuring judges to avoid hearing his appeal.
Speaking to journalists, the leader of the protest, Mr. Akachukwu Benedict, said, “We are here with supporters and friends of Barrister Bright Ngene, who has been unjustly jailed. Our mission is to raise awareness and show the world what has been happening in Enugu State for the past year.”
Benedict further alleged that the trial was rushed and unjust. “The charges against him are groundless, and due process was not followed. The judgment came in less than two weeks, and since then, he has remained in custody. Each time the matter is due at the High Court, judges recuse themselves from the case, leaving it stagnant,” he stated.
He added that the protesters were not opposed to a proper legal process but insisted that justice must be served. “We have repeatedly asked for the case to be reassigned to a judge. Whatever judgment the court delivers, we are ready to accept. But the truth is, there has been no progress. On March 11, 2025, a judge requested the Magistrate Court’s judgment but recused himself on the same day. Since then, no judge has taken up the case, and Ngene remains unjustly incarcerated.”
Describing the situation as a grave injustice, Benedict lamented that while the South East often complains of marginalization, its people also deny one another justice. He criticized the silence of legal bodies despite several petitions. “This is unfair and dangerous for our democracy. We have written to the NBA repeatedly with no response. As we speak, Barr. Ubani Monday is here, and Femi Falana is aware of the case. Several Senior Advocates of Nigeria know about it, yet nothing has changed. We had no choice but to protest peacefully. We are not here to fight; we are here to beg. Let this man regain his freedom and serve the people who elected him.”
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. Free Barr. Bright Ngene,” “NBA, it’s Bright Ngene today, it could be another lawyer tomorrow,” “Injustice to one lawyer is injustice to all lawyers,” “Enugu judiciary must be free from the executive,” and “The people’s choice is not a crime, Free Bright Ngene.”
Benedict concluded with a passionate plea to the NBA to ensure the independence of the judiciary and uphold fairness in Ngene’s case. “We are not here to fight or quarrel. We are only asking for justice. Please, release him so he can represent the constituency that gave him their mandate.”
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