The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate removal of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede, citing gross incompetence in handling the case against former Governor Yahaya Bello.
During a plenary session in Lokoja, lawmakers condemned the EFCC’s “unjustified assault” on the Kogi State Government Lodge, labeling it an affront to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the people of Kogi.
The assembly claimed there were assassination attempts on Yahaya Bello on April 17 and September 18, which they believe threaten the current governor’s life. They accused the EFCC of acting above the law and launching unprovoked attacks on the governor’s lodge.
Aliyu Yusuf, delivering the House’s resolution, stated, “The House formally categorises the April 17 and September 18 incidents as assassination attempts on the former governor, and by extension, a threat to the life of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.” He added, “The unprovoked attack on the Governor’s Lodge and the firing of live rounds within a diplomatic residential zone further demonstrate that the EFCC has fully marinated in a sense of its own importance and power and now considers itself not only above the law but unanswerable to anyone or institution for its actions.”
Yusuf emphasized, “Because the EFCC Chairman has shown constantly gross incompetence, the House has resolved that the President should relieve him of his appointment with immediate effect and replace him with a competent officer who will give Mr President’s crusade for the rule of law the needed effectiveness”. The assembly also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, believing they will strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
The EFCC has planned to arraign Yahaya Bello on April 18, 2024, alongside three others on multiple counts related to money laundering, totaling over N80 billion. The Kogi State House of Assembly previously berated the EFCC for its investigation into the alleged N20b bailout diversion against Yahaya Bello, which was later withdrawn due to lack of substance.
