The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has refuted claims that he coerced Bayo Ojulari, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, to resign. The denial follows a report by online portal People’s Gazette, which alleged that Olukoyede abducted Ojulari and forced his resignation in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede described the report as “uncharitable” and damaging to his reputation, accusing the platform of portraying him as someone who has “betrayed and subverted public trust.” He demanded an immediate retraction of the story and a public apology from People’s Gazette within 48 hours.
The EFCC chairman’s legal counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), wrote to the online platform, stating that “the publications and the imputations conveyed by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity.” He called for the outlet to “acknowledge your wrongdoing, expressly admit that what you published and imputed against my client are false, apologise for it unreservedly and retract and pull down the stories from your newspaper website and social media handles.” Olumide-Fusika warned that failure to comply would lead to a defamation lawsuit to challenge the claims against Olukoyede’s character and reputation as EFCC chairman.
Amid speculation about Ojulari’s resignation, neither the NNPC boss, the state-owned company, nor the presidency has issued an official statement. On Monday, Ojulari attended a Society of Petroleum Engineers event in Lagos, where he spoke on the need for Africa to develop bankable energy projects to ensure a sustainable energy future, making no mention of the resignation rumors.
The controversy surrounding the report underscores ongoing tensions regarding high-profile resignations and the role of media in public discourse. The EFCC has vowed to pursue legal action if the demanded retraction and apology are not forthcoming.
