By Abubakar Yunusa
Former students of Kogi State Polytechnic have criticized the institution’s Rector, Dr. Usman Ogbo, for congratulating embattled ex-Governor Yahaya Bello after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court granted him bail.
Bello, who is facing charges of alleged N10.4 billion fraud, was granted a ₦500 million bail on Thursday by Justice O.A. Adeniyi. The court directed the former governor to surrender his passport and barred him from traveling abroad without judicial permission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Bello, alongside Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, on November 27 on a 16-count charge, including conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property. All defendants pleaded not guilty.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Dr. Ogbo took to his Facebook page shortly after the court ruling, writing: “Congratulations to all of us #FGYBist.”
The post sparked outrage, particularly from former students of the institution.
On Facebook, Tenimu Ibrahim criticized the celebratory tone, stating, “Today is a shameful day. Bello is being forced to surrender properties as bail conditions. Is this really something to rejoice about? He will lose these properties and still face imprisonment in the end.”
Another commenter, Al Ganniyu Jnr, accused the rector of hypocrisy, writing, “Dr. Ogbo, you’re a disgrace to professors. A student who cheated in an exam was expelled, yet today you’re celebrating someone accused of looting public funds.”
Attah Abdul-Mu’min added, “Students cheat in exams, you expel them. Someone loots public funds, you celebrate them. Well done, Dr. Ogbo.”
The backlash continued with Illiyasu Mandela Mudila, who lamented, “Why are educators, who should stand against corruption, promoting it out of favoritism? This is too bad.”