THE Kogi State House of Assembly has demanded the immediate removal of Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede.
Earlier this year, the Assembly urged the EFCC to retract the ‘wanted’ label placed on former Governor Yahaya Bello.
During a plenary session in Lokoja yesterday, the lawmakers accused Olukoyede of mishandling the case against Bello, describing his actions as “unprofessional.”
They also condemned the EFCC’s raid on the Kogi State Government Lodge, calling it an attack on Governor Usman Ododo and the people of Kogi.
The Assembly alleged that the EFCC had made assassination attempts on both the former and current governors, stating that the prolonged persecution of Bello must end.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance introduced by Hon. Akus Lawal, representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency, and seconded by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi from Mopamuro State Constituency.
Hon. Lawal accused the EFCC of attempting to humiliate and potentially harm both governors, a claim supported by other legislators.
Hon. Olawumi emphasized that the state’s Audited Financial Reports had consistently been made public and insisted that no funds were missing to justify what he described as the EFCC’s unjustified targeting of Bello.
Hon. Abu Jibril of Ajaokuta State argued that Olukoyede should be prosecuted for allegedly attempting to harm the governor and called on the President to dismiss him immediately.
According to him, Olukoyede’s actions demonstrated his inability to lead an impartial agency like the EFCC.
Hon. Bode Ogunmola, representing Ogori/Magongo State Constituency (PDP), further criticized the EFCC Chairman for allegedly ordering an attack on the Governor’s Lodge, insisting that he be sacked and prosecuted. He stated that such an action endangered the Governor’s life and warranted his immediate removal.
Majority Leader Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak accused EFCC officials of fabricating a narrative about Bello’s arrest, describing it as a politically motivated embarrassment orchestrated by the former governor’s adversaries.
He urged the President to take action, characterizing the EFCC’s actions as a coup attempt at the Governor’s Lodge.
The legislators argued that the EFCC’s actions had strayed from their anti-corruption mission and were politically motivated.
Hon. Yahaya Umar of Omala State Constituency added that the EFCC Chairman’s intent was to disgrace both Bello and Kogi State, not to pursue legitimate allegations.
Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba also criticized the EFCC, accusing the agency of conducting a media trial to tarnish the former governor’s reputation.
She insisted that the people of Kogi, particularly women and youths, would not accept such actions.
In the same session, the Assembly passed a resolution commending President Bola Tinubu for his economic policies aimed at building a strong economy.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf read the Assembly’s resolution, categorizing the EFCC’s actions on April 17 and September 18 as assassination attempts on Bello and a threat to Governor Ododo.
The Assembly concluded that Olukoyede had consistently demonstrated gross incompetence and urged the President to replace him with a more capable official to advance the administration’s commitment to the rule of law.
