The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has strongly denied allegations that he coerced the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, into resigning from his position.
The denial follows a report published on August 2, 2025, which claimed that Olukoyede, alongside the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, compelled Ojulari to sign a resignation letter during a meeting in Abuja. The report also alleged that Ojulari was interrogated over links to British-Nigerian oil businesswoman, Olatimbo Ayinde, said to be influential within the current administration.
In a follow-up story, it was further claimed that Ojulari was later invited to the Presidential Villa, where First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu reportedly opposed his resignation.
Reacting to the allegations in a statement issued on Wednesday by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede, through his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, described the publications as “false, defamatory, and damaging to his personal and professional reputation.”
“The publications and the imputations conveyed by them are so damning and cannot be ignored or treated with levity,” the statement read.
Olukoyede categorically rejected the insinuation that he acted under the influence of Olatimbo Ayinde, stressing that the claims were fabricated to undermine his integrity and the credibility of the EFCC.
In a letter addressed to the editor of the media outlet responsible for the report, Olukoyede demanded an immediate public apology, retraction of the story, and removal of the publication from both the website and associated social media platforms within 48 hours.
The letter, signed by Olumide-Fusika, SAN, warned that failure to comply with the demands would result in legal action.
“Any failure of compliance with these instructions will result in the issuance of a writ in the tort of defamation,” the legal team stated.
Olukoyede insisted the report sought to portray him as “someone that has betrayed and subverted 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.”
He urged the publishers to accept responsibility and make amends or face legal consequences.
The post Olukoyede Denies Forcing NNPCL GCEO To Resign, Demands Retraction Of ‘Defamatory’ Report appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
Olukoyede Denies Forcing NNPCL GCEO To Resign, Demands Retraction Of ‘Defamatory’ Report
