Ola Olukoyede, the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has disputed that he coerced the resignation of Bayo Ojulari, the Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Olukoyede was responding to allegations that, at a meeting held behind closed doors in Abuja, he and Adeola Ajayi, the Director General of the Department of State Services, or DSS, coerced Ojulari into writing a letter of resignation.
Additionally, it stated that Ojulari was questioned about his suspected connections to Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil tycoon who is reportedly linked to key members of the current administration.
In a statement on Wednesday, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said Olukoyede, through his lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), described the reports as defamatory and injurious to his integrity.
“The publications and the imputations conveyed by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity,” the statement quoted.
It added that Olukoyede 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 EFCC chairman has now demanded an official apology and complete removal of the story from the outlet’s digital platforms within 48 hours, threatening a lawsuit.