by Chuks Oluigbo
Many Nigerians have expressed outrage after a video surfaced online showing Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo and others in a celebratory mood following the return of the immediate past governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, from Kuje Custodial Centre.
The video, seen on the Facebook handle of Lere Olayinka, is captioned “Yahaya Bello returns home, received by Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, others”.
Bello, who is facing a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N110 billion brought against him and two others — Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu — by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after he met the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
This was after Justice Maryann Anenih granted the former governor bail in the sum of N500 million and three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, including Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro. The judge also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
Reacting to the video on Facebook, Taiwo Akinremi asked, “How did I end up in this country?”
Another commenter, Omolale Ayodeji, wrote, “Remember someone who stole a fowl was sentenced to death and just do a calculation on how many fowls over 80 billion can buy. You’re still hating on Farotimi’s claim about our justice system.”
Freedom Taiwo Adesegun Okunuga simply said, “The Criminal Justice System,” an obvious reference to the controversial book by human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi.
“Expired country,” wrote Oluseye Ajani.
Onah Steven S’o said, “I feel pain anytime I realise that I’m a Nigerian, how can we celebrate a criminal like this?”
“Nigeria justice system is a complete mess!” said Oludare Ajibode.
Prosper Akinwumi said, “Karma will visit him.”
Baba Oluwadarasimi referred to those celebrating as “Bunch of unreasonable political jobbers”, while Dare Adelekan called them “Shameless criminals”.
“The advanced nations will see this and they will simply refer to us as ‘primitive elements’. Someone that his family should be crying and weeping now. What a nation, oh sorry, what a jungle called Nigeria!” Afolayan Ayo Justice wrote.
Nigeria News Source had earlier reported that on December 10, Justice Anenih had refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor, saying the application was premature and incompetent as it was submitted before Bello was taken into custody by the EFCC.
The judge had, therefore, remanded Yahaya Bello in Kuje Custodial Centre pending hearing of his bail application, but granted bail to Oricha and Hudu.
She had also adjourned hearing in the N110 billion money laundering case brought against Bello by the EFCC to January 29 and 30, and February 25 and 27, 2025.
Sources had, however, said that Bello’s lawyers could file a fresh bail application and apply to the court for an early hearing date.
On December 13, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted Yahaya Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum after the former governor pleaded not guilty to a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion brought against him by the EFCC.
