The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has disputed that he coerced the resignation of Bayo Ojulari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a closed-door meeting in Abuja, Olukoyede was responding to reports that he and Adeola Ajayi, the Director General of the Department of State Services, or DSS, had coerced Ojulari into writing a letter of resignation.
Ojulari was allegedly questioned about his suspected connections to Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil magnate who is said to be linked to important members of the current administration.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Wednesday that Olukoyede, via his attorney Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), called the reports false and damaging to his reputation.
Read Also: Shettima Highlights MSME Investment as Tool for Economic Growth and Poverty Alleviation
The statement stated, “The publications and the imputations sent by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity.”
The statement went on to say that Olukoyede has not violated the public’s confidence “by submitting the authority of his public office and trust as Chairman of the EFCC to the dictates and directives of one Olatimbo Ayinde.”
A lawsuit has now been threatened by the EFCC chairman, who has requested an official apology and the removal of the story from the outlet’s digital platforms within 48 hours.
