The second day of the Nigerian Bar Association annual conference in Enugu on Monday was interrupted by protesters demanding the release of Labour Party lawmaker Bright Ngene from the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Ngene, who represents Enugu South Urban Constituency, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence handed down by a magistrate’s court over a local community dispute.
His supporters, however, insist that his conviction is politically motivated.
Protesters carried placards reading “Release Bar. Bright Ngene Now, a Political Prisoner of Conscience” and “NBA, Please Save Our Democracy,” accusing the state judiciary of delaying his appeal. They also claimed that at least two judges had recused themselves, leaving the case unassigned at the state High Court.
Addressing journalists, protest leader, Benedict Kachukwu condemned Ngene’s imprisonment, saying, “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.”
Security personnel prevented the demonstrators from entering the International Conference Centre, where the NBA event is being held.
Nevertheless, they conducted a peaceful protest around the venue before eventually dispersing.