Events marking the opening of the Enugu State judiciary’s 2026 legal year were disrupted on Monday as protesters invaded the Enugu State High Court premises to demand the release of a detained Labour Party lawmaker, Bright Emeka Ngene.

Ngene, a lawyer, had been imprisoned over the past year in a matter involving his community, for which many have condemned.

The protesters carried placards with 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.” Their protests had disrupted the activities of Judiciary members who were observing their opening year.

Speaking to journalists, Dr Casmir Uchenna Agbo, Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, described Ngene’s continued detention as an injustice to humanity and an affront to the will of the people.

He said: “I am here in solidarity with this group and my party. Injustice to one is injustice to all. What they are doing to Bright Ngene is an injustice to humanity. Whatever the problem is, it should not be the reason to deny this young man the mandate freely given to him by the people of Enugu South Urban.

“Enough is enough. Bright Ngene should be released and allowed to enjoy his mandate, even if it is for 24 hours. The Labour Party won the election fair and square. I see no reason why the young man should be behind bars. Governor Peter Mbah, you know what to do. We urge you to release this man and allow him to enjoy the mandate he received from the people.”

Speaking, the leader of the protesters, John Chukwuemeka Ewoh, said he was a co-accused with Ngene but had since been discharged and acquitted.

“I was sentenced alongside Bright Emeka Ngene on 28 June 2024. 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 talking to the press,” he said.

Ewoh lamented Ngene’s prolonged detention, noting that he won the Enugu South Urban constituency seat in 2023 and even emerged victorious again in a rerun election in August 2025 while still in prison.

“Which means the mandate of the people for Bright Emeka Ngene is whole and entire. The people have made their choice, but his voice cannot be heard because he has continued to be incarcerated,” he said.

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

“Over this period of two years, judicial officers have tactically been recusing themselves. Justice A. Ajah recused himself on the day of judgment. The case went to Justice Olaedo, and the same thing happened. This is not justice. We are asking that this case be dispensed with so it can proceed to the Court of Appeal,” he said.

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