Ngene, a Labour Party lawmaker representing Enugu South I State Constituency, has been described by rights groups as a political prisoner following his controversial incarceration.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena to reassign the appeal case of the detained Enugu State House of Assembly member, Bright Ngene, describing the continued refusal by judges to hear the matter as a dangerous signal of deepening judicial corruption.
The NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), disclosed this on Friday while delivering the keynote address at the 17th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture in Enugu, themed “Judicial Corruption in Nigeria: A Menace to Democracy and Social Justice.”
Ngene, a Labour Party lawmaker representing Enugu South I State Constituency, has been described by rights groups as a political prisoner following his controversial incarceration.
SaharaReporters had reported that an Enugu South Magistrate's Court, presided over by Barr. E. D. Onwu, on June 28, 2024 sentenced Ngene to seven years’ imprisonment over alleged community development fund scandal.
Ngene who won the state constituency election defeating then People Democratic Party (PDP), candidate Sam Ngene and even while he was imprisoned he still defeated the candidate of Governor Peter Mbah in a rerun election last August, has since remained in the Custodial Center.
While all the judges of the Enugu State High Court have rescued themselves from hearing the case of the state interference.
SaharaReporters reported in September 2025 that the Chief Judge of Enugu State finally assigned the appeal case to Justice E. N. Oluedo, and backdated to March 18, 2025, after a serious protest at the NBA Annual conference held in Enugu.
SaharaReporters had also reported on January 25, that activities marking the opening of the 2026 legal year of the Enugu State judiciary were disrupted when protesters stormed the premises of the Enugu State High Court, demanding the immediate release of the detained Labour Party lawmaker, Barr. Ngene.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the protesters temporarily disrupted proceedings as security operatives moved in to maintain order.
However, speaking at the event organised by NAS, Osigwe revealed that three judges of the Enugu State High Court had declined to hear Ngene’s appeal due to alleged interference, a situation he warned was casting serious aspersions on the integrity of the judiciary.
“The NBA has set up a committee to engage with the Chief Judge of Enugu State to ensure that this matter is assigned to a judge and is heard,” Osigwe said.
“If after two weeks nothing is done, we have directed the NBA in Enugu to boycott the Chief Judge’s court and file a petition against the Chief Judge. We are approaching this in stages.”
The NBA president questioned the propriety of the Chief Judge’s alleged action in recalling Ngene’s case file from a judge on the very day lawyers had appeared in court for the hearing.
“What is the Chief Judge’s interest? Why would he recall the case file when lawyers had arrived for hearing? And he is doing it without any record. Why can’t he hear the appeal himself and decide one way or the other?” he asked.
Osigwe, who did not mince words, likened corrupt judicial officers to a madman wielding a cutlass in a crowded market, saying they were even more dangerous.
“A madman can kill a few people and will eventually be restrained. But a corrupt judicial officer destroys the moral foundation of society and causes incalculable damage,” he said.
He lamented that public confidence in the judiciary had plummeted due to repeated allegations of bribery, political interference, manipulation of court processes and compromised judgments.
“Nigerians have steadily lost confidence in the judicial system, which is now widely perceived as riddled with corruption, inconsistency and undue influence. The judiciary, which ought to be the last hope of the common man, is increasingly seen as a place where justice can be bought by the highest bidder,” Osigwe said.
Citing data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Osigwe said Nigerian public officials received an estimated N721 billion in bribes in 2023, with judges ranking among the top recipients.
He also referenced reports showing that about 61 percent of Nigerians believe judges are likely to accept bribes to influence their rulings.
Osigwe warned that judicial corruption poses a direct threat to democracy, noting that elections, governance, accountability and peaceful dispute resolution all depend on an independent and incorruptible judiciary.
“When courts become instruments for shielding the corrupt or punishing political opponents, elections lose meaning and governance becomes arbitrary,” he said.
He called for immediate suspension of any judicial officer facing credible allegations of corruption, insisting that judges must live above reproach.
Osigwe urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to strengthen disciplinary processes and ensure erring judges are not shielded by political influence.
In his welcome address, the President of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Dr. Joseph Oteri, said the lecture was convened to honour the legacy of late broadcaster and activist Ralph Opara (MON), who devoted his life to speaking truth to power.
Oteri said judicial corruption had shaken the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and turned social justice into an illusion.
“When corruption infiltrates this sacred institution, public trust is eroded and democracy is imperilled,” he said.
He described the lecture as a call to action rather than a ceremonial event, urging citizens, lawyers and civil society groups to confront the crisis head-on.
Panel discussants at the event included Joyce Chiamaka Iwejuo, Esq., Mrs. Chioma Umunna, Esq., Rev. Fr. (Dr.) John Okwoeze Odey, and Dr. Obum Arum, Esq., while the session was moderated by Uche Gabriel and Dr. Uche Maurice Maduemesi.
Participants collectively called for sweeping reforms, transparency in judicial appointments, automated case assignment, and stronger oversight mechanisms to restore credibility to Nigeria’s justice system.