The second day of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conference in Enugu was on Monday marred by protests demanding the release of Labour Party lawmaker, Bright Ngene, who is currently serving a prison sentence.
Ngene, representing Enugu South Urban Constituency in the State House of Assembly, was sentenced to seven years by a magistrate’s court over a community dispute.
His supporters, however, maintain 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They alleged that at least two judges had withdrawn from the case while it remained unassigned at the state High Court.
Addressing journalists, protest leader Benedict Kachukwu described Ngene’s incarceration since 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.
Security operatives prevented the demonstrators from gaining access to the International Conference Centre, venue of the conference.
The protesters, however, staged a peaceful demonstration around the premises before dispersing.