Kogi State Governor, 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.
REPORTERS AT LARGE reports that upon his swearing-in as the 6th democratic Governor of Kogi State on Saturday, Ododo 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.
REPORTERS AT LARGE gathered that Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello on 18 counts of money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.
Ali Bello was charged alongside other defendants, including Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and the Kogi First Lady, Rashida Bello.
Nigerians on X expressed concerns over Governor Ododo’s appointment of Ali Bello and called on the EFCC to provide the latest update on the ongoing case.
Reacting, Kogi Frontline Solidarity described Bello’s appointment as Governor Ododo’s CoS as demeaning and embarrassing.
The group, in a statement signed by its secretary, Afiz Buawa, noted in a statement sent to journalists that the new Chief of Staff, in addition to being the nephew of the former Governor, is under investigation by the EFCC for misappropriation.
In the message, as reported by PaperMacheOnline, the Secretary queried the decision saying “You can see the level of people running the affairs of Kogi. It’s obvious that all the appointments made so far were done by Yahaya Bello. You can just do the simple maths that the new Chief of Staff, aside from being his nephew, is one of the people that stole from the State, and we are saying no to his appointment. Let him clear himself from EFCC first. It’s rather shameful that Kogi is running a one-man show.”
The Kogi Frontline Solidarity has vowed not to stop fighting till the appointment is reversed, claiming Ali Bello as the Chief of Staff in this new government will give a wrong impression and determine how the State will be run in the next four years.
