Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, has said the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual Conference in Enugu, though remarkable in content and organisation, will remain incomplete until justice is secured for incarcerated lawmaker-elect, Barrister Bright Ngene.
Ubani, giving his reflections on the conference which opened on August 21 in the Coal City, said it was intellectually rich, socially vibrant, and well organised, but overshadowed by the continued detention of Ngene, who won re-election to the Enugu State House of Assembly while in prison.
“Justice delayed for Bright Ngene is justice denied for his people. Until he is freed, the legacy of this conference cannot be said to be complete,” Ubani declared.
No Video? No Problem. Waystream Lets You Stream Audio Like a Pro
Commendations for Enugu and NBA
He commended Governor Peter Mbah and the Enugu State Government for the warm hospitality extended to delegates, noting that security, logistics, and social engagements were handled efficiently.
He equally praised the NBA leadership — President Afam Osigwe, SAN; Conference Planning Committee Chairman Emeka Obegolu, SAN; and Local Organising Committee Chairman Ikeazor Akaraiwe, SAN — for what he described as “outstanding organisation.”
Lapses That Must Be Corrected
Despite these successes, Ubani pointed to areas requiring urgent correction. He criticised the prominence accorded to “new wigs” and politically exposed personalities such as Dino Melaye, Deji Adeyanju, and Osita Chidoka, saying the tradition of seniority at the Bar was undermined.
“Whatever the inspiration of the theme ‘Standing Out, Standing Tall,’ respect for seniority at the Bar must remain sacrosanct,” he warned.
Ubani also frowned at the arbitrary hike in hotel and transport fares during the conference week, lamenting that service providers exploited the influx of participants.
Electoral reforms: NBA lauds Ubani-led committee proposals
The Case of Bright Ngene
Ubani insisted that beyond the glamour of the conference, the issue of Bright Ngene demanded urgent attention. Ngene, a lawyer and elected representative of Enugu South Urban Constituency, has remained in custody “under questionable circumstances,” despite being returned by his constituents at a rerun poll.
He noted that Ngene’s appeal against conviction has suffered delays, though the Attorney-General of Enugu State, Kingsley Udeh (SAN-designate), has assured that the case has been assigned and may be heard after the court vacation.
Still, Ubani urged Governor Mbah not to wait for prolonged processes. “Releasing Ngene will affirm justice and allow him to take his rightful place in the House of Assembly, where his constituents await him. Magnanimity lies in freeing him,” he said.
NBA Must Aspire Higher
Ubani advised the NBA to aim at global standards, recalling the 2019 Lagos Conference under A.B. Mahmoud, SAN, coordinated by Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi, SAN, which he described as the closest to International Bar Association standards.
“That conference remains the benchmark. Future conferences must build on such quality,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2026 edition in Rivers State, Ubani urged organisers to consolidate the gains recorded in Enugu while correcting its lapses.
“Conferences should not end with colour and camaraderie alone. They must leave behind legacies of justice and professional excellence,” he concluded.
