The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, accusing him of mishandling the case against the former governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
During a plenary session in Lokoja on Monday, the legislators condemned what they described as an unprovoked attack by EFCC operatives on the Kogi State Government Lodge, claiming it was a direct attack on the incumbent Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the people of Kogi State. The lawmakers further alleged that the EFCC’s actions were part of an assassination attempt on both the former and current governors.
The accusations followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Akus Lawal, the representative of the Ankpa 1 State Constituency, and seconded by Jacob Olawunmi, representing the Ijumu State Constituency. Lawal claimed that the EFCC’s actions were intended to humiliate and potentially harm the governors, a sentiment echoed by other members of the House.
Abu Jibril, representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, went a step further, calling for the EFCC Chairman’s prosecution, alleging that he attempted to kill Governor Ododo. Jibril urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Olukoyede from office, accusing him of incompetence and questioning his ability to lead an impartial anti-corruption agency.
Other lawmakers expressed similar concerns, with Bode Ogunmola of Ogori/Magongo State Constituency (PDP) criticizing the EFCC for allegedly ordering the use of live ammunition at the Governor’s Lodge, a move he said endangered the lives of state officials. Ogunmola demanded that Olukoyede be sacked and prosecuted for his role in the incident.
Suleiman AbdulRazak, the House Majority Leader, claimed that EFCC officials had begged former Governor Bello to allow them to stage a fake arrest, further accusing the agency of acting on behalf of political enemies. He called for an official notification to be sent to President Tinubu, outlining what he described as a coup attempt at the Governor’s Lodge.
Yahaya Umar, representing Omala State Constituency, added that the EFCC’s actions were aimed at disgracing both Yahaya Bello and the people of Kogi State, asserting that the agency’s conduct was not about enforcing the law but about humiliation.
Deputy Speaker Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba also condemned the EFCC’s actions, accusing the agency of engaging in a media trial to tarnish the former governor’s reputation. She reiterated that the people of Kogi, especially women and youth, would not tolerate such actions.
In addition to demanding Olukoyede’s removal, the assembly passed a resolution commending President Tinubu for his economic policies aimed at building a stronger economy.
Reading the House’s resolution, Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf labeled the incidents of April 17 and September 18 as assassination attempts on former Governor Bello and a threat to the life of Governor Ododo. He argued that the EFCC had become reckless in its operations, acting as if it were above the law.
The EFCC, in response, has announced plans to arraign Yahaya Bello and three other suspects on April 18, 2024, before a Federal High Court in Abuja on 19 counts of money laundering involving over N80 billion.
