Pecohub The Enugu State judiciary has come under intense public scrutiny after a fourth judge recused himself from hearing an appeal filed by embattled senior lawyer Bright Ngene, further prolonging a case that has kept him in custody for nearly two years.
Ngene has been languishing at the Enugu Correctional Centre for nearly two years amid prolonged delays in the hearing of his appeal. He is challenging his seven-year sentence for theft and conspiracy following a judgement of the Enugu South Magistrate Court presided over by His Worship E. D. Onwu.
Meanwhile, several senior lawyers have asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to read the Riot Act on the matter, adding that the matter can no longer be treated with kid gloves. It is unclear whether the NBA National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) meeting holding tomorrow in Maiduguri will deliberate on Ngene’s travails.
Severally declared winner of the Enugu South Urban 1 State Constituency election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ngene had repeatedly alleged that Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is behind his ordeal for his refusal to accede to Mbah’s alleged request for Ngene to join his then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Following prolonged delays in the hearing of the appeal, a glimmer of hope emerged when the case was assigned to Justice Chinedu Ezugwu.
Leading from the front, NBA President, Mr. Afam Osigwe SAN stormed Enugu State High Court on 19thJanuary, 2026, to spearhead Ngene’s defence team. Also in the team were Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor SAN and NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Prof. Uju Agomohamong others.
The appeal could not be heard as the hearing notice was not served on the appellant, namely the Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. This led the judge to adjourn the appeal to yesterday for hearing.
However, any hope that the appeal would be heard was eclipsed by Justice Ezugwu’s decision to also recuse himself from the case.
The prolonged delay in the hearing of the appeal is caused by repeated recusal by judges assigned to hear the appeal. At the time of this report, no reason was given for the latest recusal by the judge.
Commenting on the latest recusal, a fiery Senior Advocate of Nigeria wrote: “This case of Bright Ngene and many others show how the Nigerian judiciary is not independent. I am not surprised.
The judiciary has been captured.
The confessions of political actors show clearly that the justice system has since been mortgaged as instrument of persecution. Boldness and courage have since departed the seat of justice in Nigeria. What we have in most cases is caricature adjudication to satisfy the whims and caprices of political actors who have unhindered access to those who should be pure in adjudication. So sad.”
