The simmering rift between Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his predecessor Yahaya Bello has deepened after fresh revelations from the sacked Director General, Bureau of Lands, Abdulmalik Teina Samari.
Samari, a known “Bello Boy,” was redeployed by Governor Ododo on July 28, 2025, to head the Kogi State Environmental Protection Agency (KOSEPA), this development came as demotion. He was replaced by Ododo’s loyalist, Salihu-Otaru Kehinde Augustine.
Days later, Samari was allegedly arrested by the DSS from his Abuja residence on Ododo’s orders over claims of fund misappropriation.
From detention, Samari released a letter denying the allegations and exposing what he described as fraudulent dealings within the state government. He claimed lands acquired by the state were secretly shared among top officials and alleged his ordeal was punishment for refusing to comply with such actions.
THE LETTER READS:
As the Director General Bureau of Land Kogi State at the time of purchase, I have the right as an individual or any other person to acquire the land not just the state government because federal government land can be purchased by all and sundry. I introduced the land to the Governor and the Chief of Staff. The governor instructed that I divided the land into 3 parts. One for the governor, one for the chief of staff and one for myself. Before now, both the governor and chief are aware that my living house got burnt. So I told them I won’t be needing the land but instead of me taking it and sell to an outsider, why not they add it to their own and pay me off. They both agreed and asked me to go ahead and write a request for fund that would cover the payment to federal government and my own payment for the land. The money in question is that of my own share of the deal. Nothing like financial misappropriation.
When we acquired the Coca-Cola depot land in Okene it was shared between Yakubu Adabenege (Auditor General for local government) and Adam’s Onota the governor’s friend as well. What’s the difference? The land we acquired in GRA and was given to another person, is there any different? Why this? Oh! Was this as a result of my refusal to accept been redeployed to a lower office? Very funny.
Remember Mr. Governor, the former governor directed you should discuss with me on the next office I will occupy which you asked me to mention where I want to be but I refused until you insisted I should make a choice. I mentioned Chief of Staff and DG land but you declined. Later after some few days you call me to inform me I have been asked to take up DG lands and that the former governor want to see me in higher positions from my previous ones. Why do you now think I’ll accept to go lower?
Only if I didn’t sincerely worked tirelessly for this government that any evil you people planned against me would go unpunished. If not the WRATH OF ALLAH would descend on all the people involved in this act. Most especially, you the chief of staff (Atimpo), who are you? You wanted me Abdulmalik Teina Samari to be following you up and down like what? That’s why you felt my position should be lowered. I’m not in that league of people to accept any position just for position sake. Allah forbid.
Mr. Governor, remember how I lead a 3 days protest to secure our mandate in order to prevent opposition parties gaining access to the INEC facilities? How we were confronted with the military and other security personnel. If anything had happened to me then this is how I’ll have been treated? I traveled with you to Lagos on flight, traveled with you by road to Kano state and Kaduna. This is my reward for all my sleepless nights and efforts?
The night of the protest that I went to the Military Barracks to seek for the release of 2 of our boys that were arrested with guns and ammunition, where were you ATIMPO?
When I went to Kabba rally with over 40 vehicles where were you? You think because your uncle just brought you as chief of staff you can be misbehaving? You are a joker.
