Residents of Enugu State on Monday, took to the streets to demand the release of Mr. Bright Ngene, a member of the Labour Party who was recently declared winner of the Enugu South Urban rerun election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ngene has been in prison for months after being jailed by a Magistrate court in the state over a community dispute. His supporters, however, claim the conviction was politically motivated.
The protests coincided with the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Enugu, with demonstrators gathering near the International Conference Centre, venue of the event.
Protesters carried placards with inscriptions like “Release Barr. Bright Ngene Now, a Political Prisoner of Conscience” and “NBA Please Save Our Democracy”.
They accused the Enugu State judiciary of delaying Ngene’s appeal, noting that at least two judges had recused themselves while the case remains unassigned at the High Court.
Ngene’s wife spoke to the media, linking her husband’s incarceration to a political tussle.
The protesters describe Ngene as a “prisoner of conscience” and argue that his detention undermines democracy and the right of the people to be represented by their chosen candidate.
