Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has strongly denied claims that he coerced Bayo Ojulari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), into resigning from his position.
This denial comes in response to media reports alleging that Olukoyede, alongside the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, pressured Ojulari to sign a resignation letter during a private meeting in Abuja.
The reports also claimed that Ojulari was interrogated over his supposed connections with British-Nigerian oil magnate Olatimbo Ayinde, who is said to have ties to influential figures in the current administration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede, through his lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), described the reports as defamatory and damaging to his personal and professional reputation.
“The publications and the imputations conveyed by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity,” the statement read.
Olukoyede maintained that he has not compromised the integrity of his office or allowed himself to be influenced by any individual, including Olatimbo Ayinde.
“The EFCC Chairman has not betrayed public trust by submitting the authority of his public office and trust as Chairman of the EFCC to the dictates and directives of one Olatimbo Ayinde,” the statement added.
He has now demanded a full retraction and an official apology from the media outlet responsible for the story. Olukoyede also threatened legal action if the story is not removed from all digital platforms within 48 hours.
