Kogi Assembly Demands Immediate Removal Of EFCC Chairman, Accuses Agency Of Assassination Attempt

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate removal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, citing his “unprofessional” handling of the case against former Governor Yahaya Bello.

During a plenary session on Monday in Lokoja, the lawmakers alleged that the EFCC’s recent actions, including an attack on the Kogi State Government Lodge, amounted to an assassination attempt on both former Governor Bello and the current Governor, Usman Ododo. They further claimed that the agency’s prolonged persecution of Bello must end.

The Assembly’s concerns followed a motion raised by Hon. Akus Lawal, supported by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi, which accused the EFCC of trying to humiliate and potentially kill the state’s current and former governors. The legislators argued that no state funds were missing to justify the EFCC’s actions, describing the agency’s conduct as politically motivated.

Hon. Abu Jibril even called for Olukoyede’s prosecution, while Hon. Bode Ogunmola condemned the attack on the governor’s lodge, labeling it an attempted coup. The Assembly’s Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, also alleged that EFCC officials had begged Bello to fake an arrest, accusing the agency of acting on a political script.

The Assembly passed a resolution urging President Bola Tinubu to remove Olukoyede, claiming his actions had undermined the fight against corruption. They also praised the president’s economic policies, calling for a swift replacement of the EFCC chairman to restore the rule of law.