“Kogi Assembly Demands Removal of EFCC Chairman Olukoyede: Yahaya Bello Speaks Out”

Babatunji Wusu –

The Kogi State House of Assembly has officially called for the dismissal of Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Assembly accuses Olukoyede’s leadership of orchestrating an assassination attempt against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

This call comes amid ongoing tensions between Bello and the EFCC, which has pursued an alleged ₦80.2 billion money laundering charge against him since his departure from office. During a plenary session on Monday, the Assembly condemned the EFCC’s actions, describing them as an “unjustified assault” on the Kogi State Government Lodge, which they consider an affront to both Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the people of Kogi.

Speaker Aliyu Yusuf stated, “The House formally categorizes the April 17 and September 18 incidents as assassination attempts on the former Governor, representing a direct threat to the life of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.” He criticized the EFCC for its perceived overreach, stating that it now considers itself “above the law” and unaccountable for its actions.

Citing the EFCC chairman’s “gross incompetence,” the Assembly urged the President to replace Olukoyede with a more capable individual to uphold the rule of law effectively.

The situation escalated last week when Bello’s media team claimed he had complied with an EFCC summons in Abuja, only for the agency to deny holding him and label him a wanted man.