Nephew of Yahaya Bello, who is facing N3bn EFCC case, appointed as chief of staff to new Kogi governor

Ali Bello, the nephew of outgoing governor Yahaya Bello, has been named chief of staff by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo.

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Following his swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, the newly appointed governor made the announcement.

Despite being under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering and theft of approximately N3 billion, the nephew of the outgoing governor accepts this new position.

In 2023, Mr. Bello and two other individuals were charged with eighteen counts by Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court’s Abuja Division by the anti-graft agency. On February 20, 2023, the court granted N500 million bail to Mr. Bello and the three others.

Farouk Danlami, Salami Ozigi-Deedat, Basiru Abubakar, Adams Abdulaziz, Joseph Oluwaseun, Muzi Yinusa Abdullahi, Wemi Jonze, Rabiatu Okute, Fanwo Kingsley, Fatima Momoh, Mohammed Yusuf, Timothy Ojoma, Sunday Faleke, Abanika Taye, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, and Mohammed Adbulmutalib were among the commissioners that Mr. Ododo also reappointed.

Additional appointments include Jerry Omodara as security adviser, Isah Ismail as special adviser on media, Elijah Evinemi as head of service, Hilary Ojoma as deputy chief of staff, and Folashade Ayodele Arike as secretary to the state government.