Enugu LP legislative caucus seeks release of detained Assembly candidate

The Labour Party (LP) legislative caucus in Enugu State has called for the immediate release of the party’s candidate for Enugu South Urban State Constituency election, Bright Ngene, currently being held at the Enugu Correctional Centre.
 

While a new date for the election is still being expected, Ngene was, however, remanded in the Enugu Correctional Centre on Friday, June 28 by Magistrate E.D. Onwu of an Enugu South Magistrate Court. This was sequel to a case Ngene was involved in with his community.

Leading the caucus of LP lawmakers on a solidarity visit to him at the correctional centre, Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East Senatorial Zone, stated that “Ngene is being unjustly incarcerated.”

Chukwu explained that Ngene’s incarceration is linked to the rerun election, in which he is currently the leading contender by over 3,700 votes.
 

“Surprisingly, the case Ngene had with his village in 2007, which has long been forgotten, was revived. On the second day of the hearing, even without allowing the parties to adopt their briefs, the magistrate decided to detain him.

“I have not encountered anything like this; in the eyes of the law, this is illegal. We have come to see him and show our solidarity to let him know he is not alone in this situation.”

Also, the member representing Ụdị/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Sunday Umeha, called on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, and the state’s Attorney General to “right the wrong and ensure immediate release of Ngene.”