National Bar Association warns of possible court boycott if Enugu State Chief Judge fails to expedite pending appeal of jailed lawyer Bright Ngene.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has threatened to boycott proceedings in the court of the Chief Judge of Enugu State due to the prolonged delay in hearing the appeal of lawyer Bright Ngene.
Ngene, who has been detained at the Enugu Correctional Centre for nearly two years, was originally sentenced to seven years imprisonment for theft and conspiracy. The NBA described the continued delay as a violation of due process and a serious threat to public confidence in the justice system.
In response, the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) has set up a five-member intervention committee, led by Sammie Somiari, SAN, to engage with the Chief Judge and secure a hearing date within two weeks. Failure to act within this period could lead to a boycott of court proceedings by NBA branches in Enugu State, with possible legal action to protect Ngene’s rights.
The NEC emphasized that the delays are unacceptable and prejudicial, reinforcing the NBA’s commitment to ensuring prompt access to justice and safeguarding the rights of legal practitioners.
