Activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, has described Nigeria as a “paradise for thieves,” following the courtroom reaction to the bail granted to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
The court granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum after he pleaded not guilty to a 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bello is facing allegations of laundering N80 billion.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the withdrawal of an earlier application for an abridgement of the arraignment date, stating it had been overtaken by events.
Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, and Justice Emeka Nwite approved the withdrawal.
Bello subsequently took his plea, after which his counsel explained reasons for his absence at previous court proceedings. Justice Nwite then granted the bail request.
Sowore’s Reaction
Reacting to the development, Sowore expressed dismay at the celebratory atmosphere in the courtroom following the ruling.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sowore wrote:
“Yahaya Bello is granted bail and is the instant hero in the courtroom! Just loot enough to bankrupt the poor and enrich the elites; you then become the hero of the poor and the rich. NIGERIA is a paradise for thieves.”
The comment underscores ongoing concerns about the treatment of high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria and the perception of leniency toward politically connected individuals accused of financial crimes.
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