Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the protesters temporarily disrupted proceedings as security operatives moved in to maintain order.
Activities marking the opening of the 2026 legal year of the Enugu State judiciary were disrupted on Monday when protesters stormed the premises of the Enugu State High Court, demanding the immediate release of a detained Labour Party lawmaker, Barr. Bright Emeka Ngene.
The protest took place at the High Court complex in Enugu, where judges, lawyers and other stakeholders had gathered for the judiciary’s annual legal year opening ceremony.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the protesters temporarily disrupted proceedings as security operatives moved in to maintain order.
Placards displayed by the protesters bore inscriptions such as “NBA save your member from political imprisonment,” “Free Barr. Bright Ngene,” “Injustice to one lawyer is injustice to all lawyers,” “Say no to miscarriage of justice,” “Release Bright Ngene now,” and “Chief Judge, Enugu State must not stall Bright Ngene case.”
Speaking to journalists at the venue, the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Dr Casmir Agbo, described Ngene’s continued detention as a violation of justice and the democratic rights of the people of Enugu South Urban Constituency.
“I am here in solidarity with this group and my party,” Agbo said. “Injustice to one is injustice to all. What they are doing to Bright Ngene is an injustice to humanity and an affront to the will of the people.”
Agbo insisted that whatever charges Ngene is facing should not justify his prolonged incarceration, especially given his electoral victories.
“Whatever the problem is should not be the reason to deny this young man the mandate freely given to him by the people of Enugu South Urban,” he said.
“Enough is enough. Bright Ngene should be released and allowed to enjoy his mandate—even if it is for 24 hours.”
He added: “The Labour Party won that election fair and square. I see no reason why this young man should still be behind bars. Governor Peter Mbah, you know what to do. We urge you to intervene and allow this man to enjoy the mandate he received from the people.”
Also addressing journalists was Hon. John Chukwuemeka Ewoh, leader of the protesters and former co-accused in the case involving Ngene. Ewoh said he had already been discharged and acquitted, raising further questions about Ngene’s continued detention.
“I was sentenced alongside Barr Bright Emeka Ngene on 28 June 2024,” Ewoh said. “By the special grace of God, my case was determined on 23 September 2024 and I was discharged and acquitted. That is why I am here today speaking to the press.”
Ewoh described Ngene’s continued incarceration as both unjust and politically troubling, noting that the lawmaker has remained in prison despite winning elections.
“Bright Emeka Ngene won the Enugu South Urban constituency seat in 2023,” he said. “Even more remarkable, he won again in a rerun election in August 2025 while still in prison.”
According to him, the repeated electoral victories underscore the legitimacy of Ngene’s mandate.
“That means the mandate of the people for Bright Emeka Ngene is whole and entire,” Ewoh said. “The people have clearly made their choice, but his voice cannot be heard because he has continued to be incarcerated.”
Another protester, Kachukwu Benedict, accused judicial officers of deliberately stalling the case, thereby prolonging Ngene’s detention.
“Over this period of about two years, judicial officers have tactically been recusing themselves from this matter,” Benedict alleged. “Justice A. Ajah recused himself on the very day judgment was to be delivered. The case was reassigned to Justice Olaedo, and the same thing happened.”
He described the situation as a miscarriage of justice.
“This is not justice,” Benedict said. “We are asking that this case be dispensed with so it can proceed to the Court of Appeal. Justice delayed is justice denied.”
The protesters called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Enugu State judiciary, and the state government to intervene urgently, either by securing Ngene’s release or ensuring the speedy conclusion of his trial.
“This is a lawyer, a member of the NBA, who is being held under circumstances many consider unjust,” one protester said. “If this can happen to him, it can happen to any lawyer.”
As the protest continued, security personnel maintained a cordon around the High Court complex, while judicial activities were briefly interrupted before normal proceedings resumed.