Gov Ododo under fire for appointing Ali Bello as CoS despite N3bn fraud case

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.

CN reports that 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.

CityNews Nigeria gathered that 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.

Reacting to the development, Nigerians on X expressed concerns.

@lawrenceOkoropg:

The same person docked for N3bn Fraud by the EFCC in Feb 2023 was appointed Chief of Staff to the Kogi State government 12 months later. Yet many are wasting in jail for doing nothing.

@firstladyship:

Kogi state is the Wild West & the weakest link in Nigeria. They are the ones I pity the most. Yahaya Bello’s nephew, who has a case file with the EFCC, is now the chief of staff. The politicians are why the Naira will continue to crash against other currencies.

@aai_austin:

A convict in February 2023

A chief of staff in January 2024

Is the Lord not working wonders?

Kogi state? EFCC has turned a blind eye because his name is not Emefiele.