Kogi Assembly Seeks EFCC Chair’s Dismissal, Backed By Governor Yahaya Bello

Kogi Assembly Seeks EFCC Chair’s Dismissal, Backed By Governor Yahaya Bello
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The Kogi State House of Assembly escalated its criticism of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, calling for the removal of its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. The Assembly’s resolution came in response to what it deemed an unprofessional approach to the corruption case involving former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello…….CONTINUE READING 

During the plenary session in Lokoja, lawmakers condemned the EFCC’s recent operation at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where agents attempted to arrest Bello last Wednesday. They alleged that the EFCC, under Olukoyede’s leadership, had fired gunshots during this operation, which they claimed was an attempt on both Bello’s and the current Governor Usman Ododo’s lives.

The matter was raised by Akus Lawal, the representative for Ankpa 1 State Constituency, who presented a motion of urgent public importance. Lawal criticized the EFCC’s actions in the N80.2 billion fraud case against Bello as humiliating.

In the discussion that followed, Abu Jibril from Ajaokuta State Constituency asserted that Olukoyede should not only be dismissed but also prosecuted for allegedly attempting to assassinate Governor Ododo. “The chairman has demonstrated incompetence that warrants his removal,” Jibril stated.

Bode Ogunmola, representing Ogori/Magongo, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the EFCC should have respected the Governor’s Lodge. He emphasized the expectation that government officials should feel secure in their official residences, condemning the EFCC for its aggressive tactics.

Majority Leader Suleiman AbdulRazak claimed that EFCC officials had approached the former governor to stage a fake arrest, suggesting that the agency was acting on behalf of political adversaries of Bello. He urged President Bola Tinubu to be informed of the alleged assassination attempt and the subsequent embarrassment this incident brought to Kogi State.

The Assembly concluded that the EFCC’s approach indicated an ulterior agenda, deviating from its stated mission of combating corruption. This sentiment was echoed by Yahaya Umar, who stated that the EFCC’s conduct was aimed at ridiculing Kogi State and its former governor.

Deputy Speaker Comfort Egwaba remarked that the EFCC seemed to be conducting a media trial against Bello rather than a sincere fight against corruption, which she believed was part of a larger agenda against the state’s people.

In their resolution, the Assembly formally classified the incidents of April 17 and September 18 as assassination attempts against the former governor and a threat to the current governor’s life. They urged President Tinubu to dismiss Olukoyede immediately, calling for his replacement with someone competent who would effectively uphold the rule of law.

Meanwhile, a non-governmental organization, Journalists Against Corruption (JAC), accused Governor Ododo of shielding Bello from justice by obstructing the EFCC’s efforts to arrest him. In a statement, JAC called for President Tinubu to intervene and warned that Ododo’s actions could have serious implications for the rule of law in Nigeria.

JAC emphasized that a valid warrant for Bello’s arrest had been issued, urging the former governor to comply with legal proceedings rather than evade justice. The organization commended Olukoyede’s professionalism and urged him to continue pursuing corruption cases vigorously, including against those who have exploited their positions for personal gain.

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