New Kogi Gov Appoints Bello’s Nephew Standing Trial For N3bn Fraud

Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo who was sworn in on Saturday, January 27 in Lokoja has appointed a nephew of his predecessor, Ali Bello, as his Chief Staff.
Ododo, few minutes after taking the Oath of Office in a ceremony that was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the appointment of some commissioners and aides mainly who served in the administration of Yahaya Bello.
Ali Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over a N3 billion fraud.
Bello was arraigned alongside two others in 2023 at the Federal High Court on 18 charges of money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.
The two other co-defendants are: Abba Adauda, Yakubu Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat. Another defendant, Rashida Bello, one of Bello’s wives, is at large.
The trial of Ali Bello by the EFCC is expected to continue on February 5 and 6, 2024.
The case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022: FRN vs Ali Bello and Anor is before Justice J. K. Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.