The Kogi House of Assembly has asked for the dismissal of Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for “persecuting” Yahaya Bello, the state’s former governor.
Yahaya Umar, a legislator representing the Omala state constituency in the Kogi House of Assembly, claimed that the EFCC chairman is attempting to “ridicule” Bello, who is accused of mismanaging N80.2 billion during his term.
Last Wednesday, the former governor’s media office said that EFCC officers lay siege to the Kogi government lodge in Abuja in an attempt to forcefully arrest Bello.
According to Ohiare Michael, director of the Yahaya Bello media office, the operatives shot sporadically during the siege.
His accusation came hours after the media office stated that Bello accepted the anti-graft agency’s invitation but was turned away by EFCC agents.
On April 18, the commission designated Bello sought following many unsuccessful arrest attempts.
At Monday’s plenary, Kogi legislators denounced the EFCC operatives’ actions, calling them a “unprovoked attack” on the state’s governor, Usman Ododo.
The MPs accused the EFCC of attempting to murder Ododo and the former governor and said that Bello’s prosecution had lasted too long.
This came after Akus Lawal, a lawmaker from the Ankpa 1 state seat, presented an urgent public importance resolution.
Akus claimed that the EFCC intended to humiliate and even kill Ododo and Bello.
Jacob Olawunmi, representing the Mopamuro state constituency, seconded the motion, saying the state legislature can “categorically say that no money is missing to warrant the EFCC’s unwarranted witch-hunting of the former governor”.
Abu Jibril, a politician from Ajaokuta, believes President Bola Tinubu should immediately remove and prosecute Olukoyede.
“The chairman has shown incompetence that warrants his removal,” Jibril told the committee.
