Governor of Kogi State Usman Ododo has appointed Mr Ali Bello, ex-Governor Yahaya Bello’s nephew standing trial for N3 billion money laundering case, as his chief of staff.
Mr Ododo named his predecessor’s nephew as CoS shortly after he took oath of office in Lokoja on Saturday.
Mr Bello was arraigned on February 8, 2023 by the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat for alleged misappropriation of N3,081,804,654. The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to the 18-count charge “bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering”.
The presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, remanded the suspects at a correctional centre pending the ruling on their bail application.
They were later granted bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties in like sum.
The new Kogi governor also retained nine commissioners from Yahaya Bello’s cabinet. He also retained the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade and the State Security Adviser, retired Commodore Jerry Omodara.
The commissioner nominees are Mr Wemi Jones, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Mr Bashir Abubakar and Messrs Abdulsalami Ozigi, Idris Asiwaju, Mohammed Abdulmutalib, and Barr. Yunus Abdullahi
Others include Mr Sunday Faleke, Mr Segun Joseph, Mr Timothy Ojoma, Mrs Rabiat Momoh, and Dr Adams Abdulaziz.
Ododo also appointed Mrs Hillary Ojoma as Deputy Chief of Staff and Mr Elijah Jelele as Head of Service.
The governor also appointed a Chief Press Secretary, a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, a Director-General of Protocols, a Director-General of Government House and a Legal Adviser as some of his aides.
Ododo appealed to the leadership of Kogi State House of Assembly to give all the nominees expeditious consideration to ensure unhindered operations in the Executive arm of government.
The new governor served as Auditor-General (Local Governments) in Yahaya Bello’s cabinet.
