Protest disrupts Enugu judiciary’s 2026 legal year opening over detained LP lawmaker

Activities marking the opening of the Enugu State Judiciary’s 2026 legal year were disrupted on Monday as protesters stormed the Enugu State High Court complex, demanding the release of a detained Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, Bright Emeka Ngene.

Ngene, a lawyer and member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, has been in detention for about a year over a case linked to his community, a situation that has continued to attract widespread condemnation.

The protesters, who carried placards with messages such as “NBA save your member from political imprisonment,” “Free Barr. Bright Ngene,” “Injustice to one lawyer is injustice to all lawyers,” and “Say no to miscarriage of justice,” disrupted court activities as judicial officers and guests gathered for the legal year opening.

Addressing journalists at the scene, the Enugu State Chairman of the Labour Party, Dr Casmir Uchenna Agbo, described Ngene’s continued detention as unjust and an affront to democracy.

“I am here in solidarity with my party and these protesters. Injustice to one is injustice to all. What is being done to Bright Ngene is an injustice to humanity,” Agbo said.
“Whatever the issue is, it should not be used to deny him the mandate freely given to him by the people of Enugu South Urban. Enough is enough. He should be released to enjoy his mandate, even if it is for just 24 hours. The Labour Party won the election fair and square.”

Agbo also appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene, urging the state government to ensure Ngene’s release.

The leader of the protesters, John Chukwuemeka Ewoh, said he was a co-accused in the case but had since been discharged and acquitted.

“I was sentenced alongside Bright Emeka Ngene on June 28, 2024. By God’s grace, my case was concluded on September 23, 2024, and I was discharged and acquitted. That is why I am here speaking out,” Ewoh said.

He lamented that Ngene had remained in custody despite winning the Enugu South Urban constituency seat in the 2023 election and again emerging victorious in a rerun election conducted in August 2025 while still in detention.

“The mandate of the people for Bright Emeka Ngene remains valid and complete. The people have clearly made their choice, but his voice cannot be heard because he is still incarcerated,” he added.

Another protester, Kachukwu Benedict, accused judicial officers of deliberately delaying the case.

“For over two years now, judicial officers have tactically recused themselves from the matter. Justice A. Ajah recused himself on the day judgment was expected. The case was reassigned to Justice Olaedo, and the same thing happened,” he said.
“This is not justice. We are asking that the case be concluded so it can move to the Court of Appeal.”

The protesters called on the Nigerian Bar Association, the Enugu State Judiciary and the state government to intervene to secure Ngene’s release or ensure the speedy conclusion of his trial.