The newly sworn-in Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has appointed Ali Bello, nephew of his predecessor Yahaya Bello, as his Chief of Staff.
Ododo, minutes after taking the Oath of Office on Saturday in a ceremony attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the appointment of Bello and other aides who mainly served under the previous administration of Yahaya Bello.
Ali Bello is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion. He was arraigned alongside two others in 2023 at the Federal High Court on 18 charges.
The EFCC trial is before Justice J.K. Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Despite this, Ododo has appointed Bello as his top aide.
Other appointees announced by Ododo include former Yahaya Bello’s commissioners: 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.
Key appointments also include Folashade Ayodele Arike as Secretary to State Government, Hilary Ojoma as Deputy Chief of Staff, Elijah Evinemi as Head of Service, Jerry Omodara as Security Adviser, and Isah Ismail as Special Adviser on Media.
Ododo has requested speedy consideration of the nominees by the Kogi State House of Assembly.
