Ojudu Sparks Debate, Calls Bianca’s Dance With Inmates ‘A Shame

Former presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu, has criticised the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, over her conduct during a recent visit to a prison facility in Ethiopia.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A viral video shared on Friday showed the minister interacting and celebrating with Nigerian inmates at AbaSamuel Prison in Addis Ababa.

The inmates were seen expressing joy following the signing of a bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement between Nigeria and Ethiopia. They were also heard praising President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the agreement.

Reacting in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Ojudu questioned the message the video conveyed, suggesting that it gave the impression of celebrating criminal behaviour.

He argued that while the intention may have been diplomatic, the manner of expression lacked the dignity and seriousness expected in such a sensitive situation.

According to him, “What message are we sending to ourselves and to the world? If the goal was to negotiate the transfer of Nigerian prisoners home, could it not have been handled with greater dignity and sobriety, reflecting the seriousness of the matter? Must compassion be expressed in a way that appears to glorify criminality?”

Ojudu further stressed that prison should be viewed as a place of correction, reflection, and rehabilitation, not celebration, adding that public officials must be careful not to blur those distinctions.

“Prison is not a place of celebration. It is a place of punishment, reflection, remorse, and hopefully rehabilitation. Public officials must be careful not to confuse these roles,” he said.

He also warned that the video could send the wrong signal to law-abiding Nigerians who endure hardship without resorting to crime.

“What message does this send to those who have remained law-abiding despite hardship, and to victims of fraud, trafficking, and other crimes committed by some Nigerians abroad?” he asked.

Describing the incident as troubling, Ojudu said it should concern both leaders and citizens alike, concluding with the remark: “What a shame.”