Opinion
Bright Ngene: How Enugu LP Candidate Orchestrated Own Downfall
By Simeon Ogbu
On 28th June, 2024, the House of Assembly candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu South 1 State Constituency, Bright Ngene, and the former President-General of Akwuke Town Union, Chief John Ewoh, were sentenced to seven years imprisonment for conspiracy and stealing of the sum of N15,750,000 belonging to Akwuke/Akwuke Uwani communities.
But no sooner was the judgement delivered than the Enugu LP and their Chairman, go to town with the allegation that Ngene was summarily tried within 48 hours and sent to jail to incapacitate him ahead of the rerun election between Barr. Bright Ngene and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Hon. Sam Ngene, in eight polling units in Enugu South 1 State Constituency, as ordered by the Court of Appeal. But is that correct?
In his hit song, the Yoruba Fuji star, Abass Obessere, sang, “Egungun be careful, na express you dey go.” That song forewarns not only Egungun (Yoruba word for masquerade), but also mortals, to never throw caution to the wind. Unfortunately, men like Bright Ngene are like the proverbial tortoise in Ola Rotimi’s historical play entitled “Kurunmi”, after an Ijaiye maximum ruler and Aare Ona Kakanfo. Rotimi wrote, “When the tortoise is going on a senseless journey and you say to the tortoise, ‘brother tortoise, brother tortoise, when will you be wise and come back home?’ Eehn! The tortoise will say: Not until I’ve been disgraced, not until I’ve been disgraced… disgraced, disgraced, not until I’ve been disgraced!”
Way back in 2009/2010, crises erupted in Akwuke and Akwuke Uwani communities of Enugu South LGA over the collection of sand and gravel loyalties. It cost a life (Ogochukwu Nwanwu). Homes of several key community leaders were torched. In the end, a 20-man committee was set up with a representative of all 17 kindreds of Akwuke and Akwuke Uwani communities. But tenure elongation plot in the chairmanship of the committee meant to rotate among the four villages of Akwuke communities and allegations of corruption soon crept in.
Consequently, Akwuke communities set up a Contract Committee with Bright Ngene as the Secretary, while Benneth Okeke (Ben Global) was awarded the contract to collect the revenues.
In 2017, Bright Ngene and the then Town Union PG, John Ewoh, caused to be paid into a corporate bank account that has Ngene and his wife as the signatories the sum of N15,750,000 collected by the contractor instead of a designated community account. When confronted during a community meeting at the village square, Ngene admitted receipt of the money and promised to remit it before the next meeting. But instead of keeping to his promise, Bright Ngene and John Ewoh petitioned the Commissioner of Police, accusing the two royal fathers and some community leaders of Akwuke communities of obstructing Town Union and Contract Committee functions.
Interestingly, it was at the mediation/interrogation by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, that Ngene and Ewoh challenged the royal fathers and community leaders to make good their claim of embezzlement by petitioning the police. They refused the effort of the police to settle the matter. That was how the DCP, a Yoruba woman, then told the community leaders to go home and put their allegations in writing for investigation if they were sure of their claims.
Not done, Ngene and Ewoh dragged their community leaders before the Enugu State House of Assembly where Hon. Onyinye Ugwu, their alleged godmother and a principal officer of the Assembly, held sway. Their traditional rulers and leaders were made to face the House Committee on Public Petitions chaired by Hon. Philip Nnamani. But nothing came out of it.
With total war now declared on them, the two traditional rulers and leaders of Akwuke communities were left with no choice than to fight back. They petitioned the Commissioner of Police. Investigation established that Ngene indeed received the contentious N15,750,000 and proceeded to charge Ngene, Ewoh, and the contractor (Benneth Okeke) to court (case file number MEN/ 225C/2017). In October 2017, the accused were arraigned before His Worship A. O. Eze on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, with the communities applying for the Attorney General’s Fiat to prosecute the case in the belief they could still resolve the matter as brethren. Prosecution opened their case on 11th September 2017, calling witnesses before closing their case.
But instead of marshalling their defence, the Defendants embarked on a lengthy, windy, legal rigmarole to stall the case. First, they made a no case submission, which the court dismissed. Then they filed a petition to the Chief Judge of Enugu State, seeking a transfer of the case from Eze for the trial to start denovo (afresh), a request that was rejected. But just at the point Eze was to deliver judgement, he retired. They also used deliberate absence from court by one of the accused to frustrate the case. At one point, the case file got missing, but was later found. It was one trick after another.
So, when LP National Working Committee and state executive, go to town to defend their member/candidate convicted for stealing community funds claim that Ngene was summarily tried and sentenced, they forget that but for his delay tactics, he would likely have been serving his jail term long before the 2023 election.
Meanwhile, since Eze could not read the judgement before his retirement, the case was reassigned to His Worship, E.D Onwu and trial started afresh. The Prosecution called their witnesses, who testified and were carefully cross-examined by the Defence all over. Ngene (1st Defendant) testified in person for himself and also called witnesses, who testified on his behalf before closing his case. But again, he filed a petition against Onwu, and the matter was transferred to His Worship Ifeanyi Mammah.
Mammah was Bright Ngene’s classmate at the Law Faculty, Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Ngene gave evidence, but when he would not utilise the windows granted by the court for out-of-court settlement, Mammah washed his hands off the case like Pontius Pilate. The suspicion is that he probably didn’t want to jail his classmate, as the evidence, including the bank statement had done Ngene in.
The matter was returned to Onwu to complete the case, instead of starting denovo since he had heard the case before. Evidence abound how the Defendants and their Counsel would denigrate His Worship in court.
It needs to be underscored here that although it is a criminal matter and therefore a matter between the state and the Defendants, there were many opportunities for Bright Ngene to resolve the matter out-of-court with his kinsmen, but which he blew. For instance, Jerry Eneh, a senior lawyer, had applied to court to give him the opportunity to settle the matter. Several meetings were called. An illustrious son of Akwuke resident in the US, Chief Chris Ogbodo, also travelled down Nigeria to help resolve the matter. But whereas John Ewoh and Benneth Okeke would attend the meetings, Bright Ngene snubbed the peace efforts, insisting that he would never beg his royal fathers.
In fact, their Counsel, B.C Nwobodo, had to withdraw his services from Ngene on that account and only continued to represent the other Defendants. Ngene then hired Barr. C.C Ebonyi, who soon withdrew his services. Then he hired Barr. J.S.C Okereke.
Frustrated by Ngene’s intransigence, Akwuke communities gave up the fiat and the Attorney-General took back the case. At this point, instead of making peace, Ngene sent impostors, namely, Oliver Ede and Chibuzo Ngene to file for discontinuation of the case purportedly at the instance of Akwuke people, claiming to be the Presidents-General of the two Akwuke communities. Therefore, the authentic Town Union officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders stormed the court to declare the applicants were impostors. For instance, Ede’s tenure expired in June 2023 and Hon. Celestine Ugwu was elected on 28th December, 2023 as his successor.
At least, Ngene and Ewoh were found guilty on the charges of conspiracy and stealing and were sentenced to a reduced jail term of seven years each.
Obviously, Bright Ngene’s and LP’s self-inflicted woe leaves in tatters the fanatical and habitual attempts by LP supporters to confer sainthood on anyone, on account of his/her membership of their party, forgetting that these people are equally politicians. Or did any LP Senator/Representative reject the multi-million-naira jeeps given to them while the Nigerians go to bed hungry? Should it not worry LP supporters that of all the distinguished sons, daughters, and residents of Enugu South, only a man undergoing a criminal trial for embezzling community funds was good enough for LP’s State Assembly ticket? Does it not give credence to allegations of merchandising of LP’s tickets to the highest bidder, a major factor in the internal crisis rocking the party?
To conclude, Ngene is like that proverbial Nza (sparrow) who, after eating bellyful, challenged his personal god to a wrestling match or like that proverbial tortoise that continued on a senseless journey till he met his disgrace. Indeed, like Ezeulu, the Chief Priest of Ulu, deity of Umuaro, in Chinua Achebe’s “Arrow of God”, Ngene overstepped his bounds in his dealings with his people, and learned the hard way that “No man, no matter how great, can win judgement against his clan.” It is a case of whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad.
• Ogbu wrote from Enugu
By Gabriel Agbo
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his recent Purim message responded to the continued threats of annihilation of Israel by the enemies of the Jewish state by reminding them of the biblical story of Haman. Haman obtained an irreversible decree to kill all the Jews in Persian and confiscate their properties. But before the date of execution, God intervened and Haman, his sons and the enemies of the Jews were killed instead. You know the story very well. We will come back to it later. Yes, I so much admire the dedication, love and courage of Bibi (as he is fondly called) to the cause of Israel. He is always ready to do everything necessary to protect and advance the interests of the Jewish state, especially the policy of never to allow the people go through the threats and victimization of the past. I see Benjamin Netanyahu in the mould of Moses, Joshua, Gideon and Samson. And thanks to his family that gave Israel three indefatigable brothers – Yonatan, Benjamin and Iddo that served in the elite IDF Special Forces, sacrificing their comfort and life. They left the comfort as the children of an American professor and training in Ivy colleges, migrated and joined the Israeli forces in the 60s and have played exceptional roles in defending the Jewish nation and its people.
Though this piece is not about the Netanyahus, but we will forever remember the sacrifice of the indomitable Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Netanyahu; that young Israeli Special Forces commander that successful led the rescue of about hundred Jewish hostages from Entebe Airport, Uganda in 1976. That operation remains a reference in the study of rescue missions and special operations. Just go back and read the accounts again and watch the films. And you will be amazed by the professionalism, patriotism and courage exhibited by the planners and executors of that mission and what those guys could do as far back as the 70s. Ironically, only Yoni lost his life in that most-daring operation, but that was after terminating the terrorists, rescuing the hostages, sending them home. He and his men were retreating to board the plane and leave the place when he was cowardly shot by a Ugandan soldier hiding on the airport towers. The Jewish commandoes went back and cleared the place immediately and also inflicted an irreparable damage to the Ugandan Air force by blowing up most of the fighter jets and equipment on ground. Because of my love for the boldness and sacrifice of Yonatan. I dedicated my book / audiobook Power of Sacrifice to him. And it is now in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Finish, Swedish, French, Dutch, Chinese, Italian, German, Afrikaans, Indonesian, etc. Yes, there is no better time to remind the enemies of the Jews of God’s covenant of protection with his people than the Festival of Purim.
As you already know the Festival of Purim is an annual event to commemorate that spectacular, miraculous deliverance of the Jews from annihilation during the reign of King Ahasuerus of the Persian Empire in 5 BC. Haman; a Jew-hater was appointed a prime minister of the empire. And when Mordecai, a Jew refused to bow to him, the proud Haman got the king to sign an irrevocable decree to kill all the Jews – young and old, infants and women and confiscate their properties in a day. But God miraculously intervened when Esther and Mordecai mobilized all the Jews throughout the empire to fast and seek divine intervention. Their enemy Haman was hanged, Mordecai (a Jew was appointed in his place), and another decree was promulgated that countered the first, empowering the Jews to defend and kill their enemies. God delivered his people from certain destruction. Since then the Jews have been celebrating this dramatic deliverance and display of divine power till date. Yes, Bibi was right to remind the enemies of Israel that the God of Purim is still alive to protect his people. And also that there is still today unwavering, commitment, determined, patriotic and fearless Jews like Esther and Mordecai to sacrifice everything, including their lives to see that nobody, no nation, no interest or gang up will ever be given that chance to humiliate or threaten the existence of Israel again. This has always been sufficiently demonstrated since the establishment of the modern Jewish State. And that policy remains unchanged. Touch Israel and you burn your fingers.
But Haman is not the only example to be given to the enemies of Israel. Pharaoh messed with Israel and he, his commanders and horsemen perished in the Red Sea after the angels of destruction and death devastated his land. At that night of Passover, men and beast mourned and wept throughout Egypt. Sennacherib boasted and tried it. He even queried the ability of the God of Israel to deliver; comparing him with the gods of other nations that he had destroyed. I love the way God responded to this, “Who is it you have insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel… Because you rage against me and your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.” You already know how he ended. Then, three nations came against Jehoshaphat and Judah. God took over the battle and that enemies in confusion slaughtered themselves. Not one person survived. What of the mighty and proud Goliath? After boasting, harassing and humiliating the Israelites for days, his head was cut off and his people defeated. And can go on and on. Now, every enemy harassing you or the people of God will be displaced and cut off today in the mighty name of Jesus! Enjoy your Purim celebration. Shalom!
Rev Gabriel Agbo is the author of the books / audiobooks: Power of Midnight Prayer, Receive Your Healing, Breaking Generational Curses: Claiming Your Freedom, Never Again!, I Shall Not Die, Move Forward, Power of Sacrifice and many others. Tel: 08037113283 Facebook: Gab Agbo E-mail: gabrielagbo@yahoo.com
By Emmanuel Aziken
The temptation to flex federal muscle following the decision of the Plateau State Government to suspend mining activities in the state has again brought to focus the undercurrents that aggravate Nigeria’s federation.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang moving forward in his determined efforts in lifting Plateau State from the level he met it has been able to translate good governance in diverse sectors including healthcare, road infrastructure, scaling up the welfare of citizen through such incentives as subsidised transportation and the rejuvenation of the agricultural economy in the state.
Farmers have been particularly empowered through the provisions of tractors and the provision of farming inputs that have now revitalised the hopes of local farmers.
Undoubtedly what may have further sharpened the eyes of critical observers in Plateau was the Mutfwang administration’s empowerment of the youth population with knowledge and skill on modern farming practises. This laudable move has won the approbation of the African Development Bank, AfDB which is now partnering with the Plateau State Government to establish a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
As a corollary to the agreement with the AfDP is training of youths in agricultural practise including the training of 600 youths under Operation Rainbow for intelligence gathering and sharing.
Farmers in the last 18 months have also been returning to their farms albeit with cautious optimism following the synergy weaved between the state government and the military authorities. The cloud of distrust between the people and the military that existed in the eight years before the advent of the Mutfwang administration has ben eviscerated with an affectionateness that pervades across the citizenry. However, not totally.
Here and there, especially in deep rural areas, the bad guys continue to nibble at the good works of the administration with a threat of pulling down the system.
Nowhere is this threat more manifest than through criminals engaged in illegal mining activities in the state. Because they have failed to get the requisite registration from the Federal Government, these criminals have unfolded themselves through several criminal activities to beat the long arms of the law.
As birds of the same feather flock together, these illegal miners have also congregated with other criminals to exacerbate other illegalities in the state. It is in this wise that Governor Mutfwang following consultations with stakeholders in the state took the decision to suspend all forms of mining activities in the state.
The situation on the Plateau was especially compounded by the fact that the registered miners were grossly overwhelmed by illegal miners who constituted the bulk of those engaged in mining activities in the state. Because they were not registered, they hardly could be checked.
Studies have also shown that the threats to the security of the state are more prevalent in mining areas of the state. It would be recalled that the Federal Government in the same vein towards addressing the spate of banditry similarly banned mining activities in Zamfara State.
Even more, many of these illegal miners are also non-Nigerians.
Given the fact that mining activities are under the exclusive list, it is tempting for constitutional experts to question the decision of the Plateau State Government to suspend mining activities in the state.
However, the fact that Governor Mutfwang and President Bola Tinubu have the same goals of economic viability under a peaceful ambience there is bound to be no conflict except war drums coming from the quarter of mischief makers.
Besides the instrumentality of the Land Use Act and his apron as Chief Security Officer of the state, the backing of stakeholders including traditional rulers is also salutary.
There need be no discord on this positive step towards regaining the initiative on mining from the assorted gangs of criminals who have held the state prostrate in the course of their illegalities.
The time is now for Plateau State collaborating with the federal administration to redefine the pace and pattern of mining in the state for the benefit of all.
• Emmauel Aziken is publisher of GWG.ng
By Ikeddy ISIGUZO
BURKINABE military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore was the star attraction at Tuesday’s inauguration of Ghana’s President John Mahama. Dressed in a military attire, Traore had a holstered pistol at his waist. He was widely cheered in his show that analysts rightly concluded was an affront on democracy and a defiance of ECOWAS’ stance that military administrations should give way to elected governments.
At the event where wild applauses greeted Traore was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also President of ECOWAS, that in July 2023 issued orders to the military government in Niger Republic to leave within seven days. ECOWAS was reportedly mobilising a military intervention to restore civil rule in Niger Republic. ECOWAS imposed sanctions limiting trade and communication with Niger Republic, but these have been lifted.
Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger Republic’s immediate neighbours, ensured that the sanctions did not work.
“Visible weapon by a (Head of State) at such an important event, although seen as an assertion of power could also be a symbol of intimidation and raises concerns about… how we enforce our security laws internally,” a Ghanaian analyst Barnabas Nii Laryea wrote on Facebook. “This was insanely dangerous thing to do. It’s not about trust. For national security reasons, this was very reckless and shouldn’t be allowed again,” Seth Dough, a Ghanaian lawyer, posted on X.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic are all under military rule after a string of successful coups, Mali (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger Republic (2024). On 6 July 2024 they formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a confederation. It is against neo-colonialism in Africa and the world. It also disagrees with French and ECOWAS policies, deeming them contrary to the interests of the Alliance.
ECOWAS was concerned that if the three French-speaking countries succeeded they may entice the military in other ECOWAS States to join their agenda. Some former French colonies in West Africa are buying into the agenda of the three countries that would leave ECOWAS in a matter of weeks.
A more global concern was the presence of Russian mercenaries in Mali. The French forces that were fighting terrorists in the Sahel were driven away by Mali. The Russians replaced the French and are believed to be harvesting the mineral resources and influence that were once France’s. Assimi Goïta, interim President of Mali, is the actual leader of the Alliance as his coup appears to have set off the others.
Traore knew what he was doing when he turned up in Accra in miliary gears, and armed. His manner of attendance spoke of war, power, military rule as the counterpoint to civilian governments. He was representing the Alliance of Sahel States as the only Head of Government that was present. The Prime Minister represented Mali.
For the Burkinabe leader, Accra was a grand farewell to ECOWAS. There were “two regional leaders in Accra”, Tinubu and Traore. If ECOWAS wants peace, the Alliance was ready – and also prepared for war. Tinubu took all these in. Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS is high. Beside hosting the headquarters, Nigeria last month cleared 19-year outstanding obligations of N85 billion and $54 million which included part of 2024 dues.
Former French colonies in ECOWAS are sympathetic to the Alliance’s grievances. Cote d’Ivoire, once a bastion of French interests, is with Burkina Faso. Ivorian President Alassane Dramane Ouattara is originally from Burkina Faso and his interests in France have waned. Guinea is a perennial enemy of France. The French stripped Guinea of every moveable asset before its independence in 1958.
Senegal, and Chad, Nigeria’s north eastern neighbour, where they share the Lake Chad, have similar views with the Alliance. Chad is not renewing its defence pact with France, and like Senegal has spoken in strong terms against French troops on African soil.
Chad needs Niger’s cooperation to fight Boko Haram. The Alliance is willing to help. Chad while breaking up with France lamented that France did not assist its troops when 40 of them died in a Boko Haram attack.
The departure of the three-member Alliance from ECOWAS on 29 January 2025 is only 17 days away. President Tinubu would bear the infamy of the one under who ECOWAS that would be 50 on 28 May – a day to Tinubu’s second year in office – disintegrated. What a record!
Tinubu’s heightening relationships with France transverse trade, defence, and a pointed attention on mining of solid minerals which Mali, Chad and Niger Republic once provided for France.
In fairness to Tinubu, he inherited ECOWAS’ 15-member bloc that started degrading with the departure of Mauritania in December 2000. It gave no reason. Some say that the increasing signing of protocols that involved members in the internal affairs of others inconvenienced Mauritania. One such policy could be the proposed regional currency.
The intensity of Tinubu’s chumminess with France has made him an impartial arbiter in ECOWAS. But for the Atlantic Ocean on our southern border, Nigeria is entirely surrounded by French-speaking countries, who also dominate the numbers in ECOWAS – Republic of Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. The question is how much longer would the other five remain in ECOWAS.
Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau though Portuguese-speaking, are too close to Senegal that they too have French-speaking tendencies.
The English-speaking countries are not much different. The Gambia depends on Senegal’s port in Dakar for imports, some of which go all the way to Burkina Faso, Mali, and parts of Niger Republic. Ghana is interested in the security of its northern border which it cannot protect without great relations with Burkina Faso. Was that what informed Traore’s Accra performance?
An ignored power bloc in ECOWAS is the 52-year-old Mano River Union that preceded ECOWAS. It joined Guinea, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone to explore the economic benefits of the 320-kilometre Mano River that originates from the Guinea Highlands in Liberia. Finances and the long wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone slowed down the Union but it is still flowing.
On the same Tuesday that Traore was embarrassing Tinubu in Accra, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, was making one of the most thoughtless decisions in Nigeria’s football history, by appointing former Malian coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, as Head Coach of the Super Eagles. His coaching abilities are too vacuous to merit an examination.
A Malian to manage a major national asset at the peak of the international row with Mali over ECOWAS?
We assume that security agencies, and the Foreign Ministry are involved in screening foreigners appointed at this level. Is it possible that nobody noticed that Chelle is from Mali which with Burkina Faso and Niger Republic have been exceptionally hostile to Nigeria since 2023?
Whoever engaged Chelle is embarrassing the President, if not Nigeria.
Finally…
PRESIDENT Tinubu is on his third trip to UAE in 17 months. Is that not too many trips to one country?
THE National Assembly needs to over-sight the $52.88 million Nigeria has just received from the US as “recovered assets”. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has explained that $50m of the money would be deployed through the World Bank for rural electrification. He said the remaining $2m would be used by the International Institute of Justice to expand the justice system and combat corruption. Who decided that? And the remaining $.88m is obviously too small to deserve accounting?
WHY are we praising the Federal Government for establishing five more aviation schools when it cannot finance one school?
• ISIGUZO is a major commentator on minor issues
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