The Controversial Case of Yunusa Yellow and Ese Oruru
The story of Yunusa Dahiru, a tricycle operator known as Yunusa Yellow, has been one of the most talked-about cases in Nigerian legal history. Ten years ago, he found himself at the center of a national scandal when he was accused of abducting 13-year-old Ese Oruru, a JSS 3 student from Opolo Community Secondary School in Bayelsa State. The allegations were that he had converted her to Islam without her consent and taken her to his village in Kano.
This case quickly became a major news story, capturing the attention of the public and government officials alike. Ese’s parents made emotional appeals for her release, with her mother’s plea drawing widespread sympathy. Eventually, Ese was located in Kano and rescued by the police in February 2016. She was reunited with her family in March of the same year. Upon her rescue, it was revealed that she was five months pregnant, which led to further controversy.
In 2020, Yunusa was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on five charges related to Ese’s alleged abduction. He was accused of taking her to his village in Kano and converting her to Islam with the intention of marrying her. The court convicted him on all counts—abduction, child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and unlawful carnal knowledge—and sentenced him to 26 years in prison.
However, Yunusa appealed the judgment, and the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to seven years, ruling that the lower court had made errors in its decision. In June 2023, the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Yunusa, now 34, had completed his jail term and was released from prison.
A New Chapter: Life After Prison
Ten years after the controversy, Yunusa ‘Yellow’ shared his side of the story with Weekend Trust. He insisted that he never abducted Ese, claiming that she came to Kano of her own free will. According to him, Ese had previously informed her mother about her desire to convert to Islam after having a spiritual dream. He claimed he advised her to consult her mother before making such a decision.
“I had no hand in her conversion to Islam,” he said. “I never discussed with her about coming to Kano. When I heard she had come to my village looking for me, I took her to the Emir’s palace because I knew keeping her in my house would cause trouble. That’s why I involved the authorities.”
Yunusa also expressed frustration over the trial, stating that his ignorance of the law worsened his situation. He missed some court sessions due to illness and was unable to provide a doctor’s report, leading to the revocation of his bail. He was also shocked by what he described as Ese’s “false testimony” against him.
“She swore on the Bible and lied that I brought her to Kano,” he said. “The truth is, I had come to Kano months before she arrived. There was no love between us—we were only casual friends.”
The Pregnancy Allegation
Yunusa denied any involvement in Ese’s pregnancy, stating that there was no physical relationship between them. He claimed that when the court demanded to see the baby, they could not produce it.
“How can I impregnate her when nothing happened between us?” he asked. “It then dawned on me that they wanted to soil my name and social status.”
He added that the issue of Ese being pregnant was just an attempt to paint him in a negative light. “They were all out to ensure that I was punished for their daughter’s deeds,” he said.
The Cost of the Case
The case cost Yunusa everything, including his family’s farmland and other valuables. His house was destroyed by rain, forcing his family to relocate. He lamented that despite support from some well-meaning Nigerians, much of it never reached him.
“Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso bought a tricycle for me, paid my wife’s dowry, and advised me to be careful in life. The late Alhaji Aminu Dantata sponsored my appeal, which reduced my sentence from 26 to seven years, and he also rebuilt my house. Others, like Barrister Badi’a and Dauda Kahutu Rarara, helped me too,” he said.
Life in Prison and After
Yunusa described his prison experience as “too painful to remember.” He believed that everything that happened was destined by God. During his time in prison, Ese sometimes sent greetings through a friend, but he refused to acknowledge them.
“I told him not to bring me any message from her again. If she had told the truth in court, things would have been different,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he praised his wife for standing by him. “She vowed never to leave me, even after my 26-year sentence. Members of the Hausa entertainment industry supported her to survive while I was in prison.”
Struggles After Freedom
Since his release, Yunusa has faced significant difficulties. The tricycle given to him by Kwankwaso and part of his family’s farmland had been sold during the court proceedings. He now works on people’s farms to survive, earning about ₦2,000 a day when there’s work.
“I’ll relocate if Ese comes looking for me again,” he said. “I don’t want to see or hear anything about her again.”
Yunusa expressed gratitude to the people of Kano and northern Nigeria for their support during his ordeal. He also appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and other well-meaning Nigerians to help him rebuild his life.
“I want to return to my tricycle business. I’ve paid dearly for something I didn’t do. I just need a little help to get back on my feet,” he said.
The Family’s Perspective
Yunusa’s father, Alhaji Dahiru Bala, maintains that his son was wrongly accused. “He has served his jail term, but a day will come when the truth will be known,” he said. “We’ve accepted everything as God’s will, but he needs support to rebuild his life.”