The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said the sentence handed a former Police Pension Director, John Yakubu Yusuf, for stealing N23billion by an Abuja High Court after being convicted would encourage corruption in the country and called for the investigation of the judge.

Acting president of the NLC, Comrade Kiri Mohammed, in a statement expressed shock saying that the trial judge, Justice Abubakar Talba, could "only convict such a high profile thief" who had enriched himself at the expense of hardworking Nigerians should be given a tap on the wrist.

He called for the judge and the case to be investigated.

The Conference of the Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has also condemned the sentence.

CNPP said in a statement by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, that the confiscation of assets of less than N1billion and a fine of N750, 000 was insane.

CNPP urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Abubakar Talba to protect the image of the judiciary. It also urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the judge's finances.

Also yesterday, the Anti-Corruption Network (ACN), the National Association of Nigerian students (NANS) and Association of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (AUYN) protested the judgement.

The protesters numbering hundreds, dressed in black t-shirt and carrying placards and banners with various inscriptions converged at the Ministry of Justice building before moving to Supreme Court and National Assembly, asking for a retrial of the case.

Executive Secretary of ACN and former House of Representatives member, Dino Melaye, while speaking at the Ministry of Justice, called on the federal Government to redress the anomalies in the anti-corruption war.