28th January, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
The newly inaugurated governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, is under fire for appointing his predecessor, Yahaya Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, who is being investigated for a N3 billion fraud as Chief of Staff.
Upon Ododo’s swearing-in as the 6th democratic Governor of Kogi State on Saturday, he announced his Chief of Staff and other key appointments.
However, Ali Bello’s appointment has been heavily criticised because he was docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for an alleged N3 billion misappropriation on February 8 last year.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello on 18 counts bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.
Ali Bello was charged alongside other defendants in the case, including Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat and the Kogi First Lady, Rashida Bello.
The EFCC is prosecuting them in suit No ABJ/CR/573/2022.
PHOTO INCLUSION:
Kogi Gov's Nephew Docked for N3bn Fraud, Remanded in Prison
The EFCC on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, arraigned one Ali Bello, a nephew of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court Abuja. https://t.co/5pyj8oHpcc pic.twitter.com/ym2RLLVZaW
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) February 8, 2023
Reacting to the development, Nigerians on X expressed concerns, calling on the EFCC to speak on the latest update on the ongoing case.
Yahaya Bello's Nephew who was arrested by EFCC for N3 billion Fraud, is now the Chief of Staff to the New Governor of Kogi State
This is Nigeria!
— Mindset🗝️ (@Mindset_Post) January 27, 2024
The same Ali Bello is the new COS to the newly sworn in Kogi state governor. https://t.co/Am7on6mibh
— Habdulakeem Bhadmus (@Mrbhadoosky) January 27, 2024
Requirement for APC political appointments: Must be a CRIMINAL with atleast on year experience, and must make it to EFCC book for looting related charges.
Meet the new Kogi State chief of staff, Ali Bello. pic.twitter.com/I4079w32dU
— Engr. Shaibu (@MO_Shaibu_) January 27, 2024
Ali Bello, the nephew of Former Governor Yahaya Bello, has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff (COS) to the recently sworn-in Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo.
Prior to his appointment , Ali Bello faced accusations from the EFCC of illicitly withdrawing more than N10… pic.twitter.com/JiMaXDYZ0k
— Safiyanu (@_Sufy2) January 27, 2024
His Chief of Staff is Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, who is being charged by the EFCC for misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira). https://t.co/sDDYpoLypW
— Isa Mubarak (@IsaMubii) January 27, 2024
Congratulations are in order to you Gov @OfficialOAU, however appointing Ali Bello as your new COS is the first L of your administration. I am sure this is beyond your control as this may have been imposed on you by GYB thus I call on the fmr gov @OfficialGYBKogi to rescind this. https://t.co/QhpejQlQch
— Usman (@usmee) January 27, 2024
This is Ali Bello in prison for N3Billion Fraud by the EFCC. He is nephew to fmr Kogi State Governor.
But report had it that he has just been appointed Chief of Staff to the newly sworn-in Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo.
Will the EFCC have more explanations to give? https://t.co/WIiwS6COjA pic.twitter.com/r4ew7bwz0H
— Adesola Ikúlájolú (@oloyenaija1) January 27, 2024
Gov. Usman Ododo appoints former Governor Yahaya Bello's Nephew, Ali Bello as his Chief of Staff.
Before his appointment, Ali Bello was accused by the EFCC of fraudulently withdrawing over N10 billion from the Kogi State treasury.@woye1 @Mario9jaa @APCYouth_SRoom pic.twitter.com/QmZyIrs6hL
— OBIORA PAULUSMARIA (@Obiorapaul10) January 27, 2024