By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

A fresh political storm is engulfing Kogi State as the Movement for the Emancipation of Kogi State (MEKSTA) on weekend demanded the immediate resignation of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, accusing him of complicity in what it described as a vast web of corruption traced to the administration of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello.

In a strongly worded statement, MEKSTA alleged that Ododo, who served for eight years as Auditor-General for Local Governments under Bello, presided over an era in which funds belonging to local councils were brazenly misappropriated, triggering judicial probes that are still unfolding.

The group warned that justice in Kogi State is being systematically undermined, lamenting what it called a dangerous culture of impunity, sycophancy and political protectionism that has stalled development and eroded public trust.

“Those entrusted with defending the constitution have instead chosen to protect corruption,” the group said, adding that Ododo had become “a political extension” of Bello rather than an independent leader.

₦80bn on Trial
The call for Ododo’s resignation comes against the backdrop of an ongoing trial of former governor Yahaya Adoza Bello at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja. Bello is facing a 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged money laundering totaling ₦80,246,470,088.88.

At proceedings on January 29, 2026, Prosecution Witness Seven, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank, gave detailed testimony on financial transactions involving accounts operated by Fazab Business Enterprise and E-Traders International Limited.

According to Egoro, the accounts received multiple inflows traced directly to several Kogi State local government councils, including Yagba East, Yala, Idah, Okene, Ibaji and Dekina, between May and December 2022.

Court records showed that on May 6 and May 9, 2022 alone, inflows totaling ₦117.9 million were received from local governments. Nearly the entire sum, Egoro testified, was subsequently withdrawn in cash by one Yakubu Siyaka A., leaving a negligible balance in the account.

Further evidence revealed a consistent pattern: billions of naira flowed into the accounts over subsequent months, followed by large cash withdrawals and transfers. Total inflows between May and December 2022 amounted to ₦2.56 billion, while cumulative cash withdrawals stood at over ₦582 million, alongside additional transfers to private entities.

Alleged Judicial Interference
Tensions escalated further on February 5, 2026, when Justice J. K. Omotosho ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to investigate allegations of evidence tampering in a related ₦10 billion fraud case.

The order followed an open-court disclosure by a court registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu, who alleged that a defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, offered him accommodation in exchange for deleting incriminating WhatsApp messages from an exhibit tendered in court.

EFCC investigator Muhammed Audu Abubakar later confirmed that several messages spanning 2020 to 2022 had indeed been deleted, with some chats allegedly referencing Ahmed Ododo and the movement of large sums of money.

The court has since ordered a forensic examination of the compromised device, with further hearings fixed for February 9, 2026.

Chief of Staff Controversy
MEKSTA also questioned Governor Ododo’s decision to appoint Ali Bello—son of the former governor—as his Chief of Staff. Ali Bello has been named in several EFCC investigations relating to financial transactions carried out while acting in a private capacity on behalf of his father.

The group alleged that the appointment was a calculated move to shield him from accountability by cloaking him with official protection. ₦600bn Revenue, Little to Show?

Beyond the courtroom drama, MEKSTA criticized Ododo’s fiscal record in office. The group noted that in less than two years, the administration has received over ₦600 billion from federation allocations and other revenues, yet has little to show in terms of completed or commissioned projects.

The proposed move to raise an additional ₦50 billion through Sukuk bonds for an international airport and market has further fueled controversy.

“An airport cannot replace electricity, water, healthcare or food security,” MEKSTA said, arguing that the borrowing plan reflects a misalignment between public interest and government priorities.

Against this backdrop of allegations, trials and policy disputes, MEKSTA concluded that the only honourable option left for the governor is to step aside.

“If Governor Ododo truly stands for justice and the welfare of the people, resignation is the clearest statement he can make,” the group declared.
As the courts continue to unravel the financial trail behind what has been dubbed “₦80bn Bellogate,” political pressure on the Kogi governor shows no sign of easing.