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, over his handling of the case involving former Governor Yahaya Bello, News About Nigeria reports.
The lawmakers voiced their dissatisfaction during a plenary session held on Monday in Lokoja, condemning what they described as an unprovoked attack by EFCC operatives on the Kogi State Government Lodge.
The legislators viewed the raid as an assault not only on the current governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, but also on the people of Kogi State.
They accused the EFCC of attempting to harm both the former and current governors, calling for an end to what they termed the persecution of Bello.
Hon. Akus Lawal, representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency, introduced the motion of urgent public importance, which was seconded by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi of Ijumu State Constituency.
Hon. Akus accused the EFCC of attempting to humiliate and potentially harm the two governors.
His sentiments were shared by several colleagues, including Hon. Abu Jibril from Ajaokuta State, who went as far as calling for the prosecution of the EFCC chairman for allegedly trying to harm Governor Ododo.
“The Chairman has shown incompetence that warrants his removal,” Jibril stated, urging the President to take immediate action.
He criticised the EFCC’s conduct, stating that it is a political agenda aimed at discrediting the former governor.
Hon. Bode Ogunmola of Ogori/Magongo State Constituency echoed the concerns, saying, “For the EFCC Chairman to order an attack on the official lodge of the Governor, he should be sacked and prosecuted.”
Ogunmola also raised concerns about the safety of state leaders, stating that the incident was a severe breach of security.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, alleged that EFCC officials had attempted to stage a mock arrest of the former governor.
He described the situation as embarrassing, adding that it is a political script orchestrated by Bello’s adversaries.
AbdulRazak claimed the attack on the Governor’s Lodge was an assassination attempt on both Governor Ododo and former Governor Bello, calling on the President to remove Olukoyede to prevent further disgrace.
He said that the EFCC’s actions were inconsistent with its mandate to fight corruption.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Yahaya Umar of Omala State Constituency and Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, also criticised the EFCC’s handling of the situation.
Egwaba accused the agency of engaging in a media trial to tarnish the former governor’s image.
The Assembly passed a resolution condemning the EFCC’s actions and demanding Olukoyede’s immediate removal.
They also praised President Bola Tinubu for his economic policies, describing them as steps towards building a stronger national economy.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf, who read the House’s resolution, called the incidents of April 17 and September 18 assassination attempts on Yahaya Bello, further urging the President to replace the EFCC chairman with a more competent officer.
