The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has strongly denied allegations that he compelled the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, to resign from his position.
The claims originated from an online publication dated August 2, 2025, which alleged that Olukoyede, alongside the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, coerced Ojulari into signing a resignation letter during a private meeting in Abuja. The report further suggested that Ojulari was being investigated over alleged ties to British-Nigerian oil tycoon Olatimbo Ayinde, who is said to have close connections with prominent figures in the current administration.
In a follow-up publication, the outlet also claimed that Ojulari was later summoned to the Presidential Villa, where First Lady Senator Remi Tinubu reportedly opposed his resignation.
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Reacting to the reports, the EFCC issued a statement on Wednesday through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on behalf of Olukoyede. The statement, referencing a letter from Olukoyede’s legal counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), described the allegations as false, defamatory, and damaging to his reputation.
“The publications and the imputations conveyed by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity,” the statement read.
Olukoyede rejected any notion that he acted under the influence of Olatimbo Ayinde or any political figure, emphasizing that his role as EFCC chairman is guided solely by the law and public interest.
In a formal letter addressed to the editor of the news outlet, Olukoyede’s lawyer demanded an unreserved public apology, a full retraction, and the immediate removal of the articles from the platform’s website and social media channels.
“He, therefore, demanded that the medium 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,” the statement added.
Olukoyede stated that the publication painted him as “someone that has betrayed and subverted 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.”
He described the allegations as entirely fabricated and has given the platform 48 hours to comply with the demands, warning that failure to do so will result in legal action.
