Social media activist VeryDarkMan has questioned Justice James Omotosho’s decision to recuse himself from the N10 billion money laundering case involving Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, asking, “Where is the law?”
Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja recused himself from the case on Thursday following allegations of tampering with a vital piece of evidence in the matter.
Reacting to the development, VeryDarkMan described Justice Omotosho as a fearless judge known for handling high-profile cases, citing the trial of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu as an example.
Justice Omotosho presided over Kanu’s trial and, in November 2025, convicted him on all seven counts before sentencing him to life imprisonment on some counts, 20 years on another and five years on another. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
Against this background, VeryDarkMan said he was confused by the judge’s decision to recuse himself from the Ali Bello case.
He questioned whether the development could give Yahaya Bello an advantage as he seeks the Kogi Central Senatorial seat, while stressing that he was not supporting either Bello or his political rival, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Why is Justice Omotosho recusing himself from a case like this? It makes no sense to me. It only means one thing to me,” VeryDarkMan said.
He also questioned the explanation that evidence had been tampered with, arguing that those allegedly responsible for the tampering should instead be investigated and prosecuted.
“So why are they not investigating the people that tampered with the evidence and prosecuting them?” he asked.
VeryDarkMan further questioned the decision to allow Yahaya Bello to seek elective office while facing criminal proceedings, alleging that the former governor should instead be held accountable over the allegations against him.
He, however, stressed that he was not supporting either side of the political contest, saying he considered both Bello and Akpoti-Uduaghan to be the same.
VeryDarkMan said he could not understand how the development surrounding the case could occur, particularly given Justice Omotosho’s previous handling of high-profile matters.
Drawing on a phrase associated with Nnamdi Kanu’s courtroom exchanges, VeryDarkMan concluded with a broader question about the Nigerian justice system:
“Where is the law? Show me the law.”
