The Kogi State House of Assembly has demanded that Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, be immediately dismissed.
During Monday’s plenary in Lokoja, the state capital, the legislators accused Olukayode of unprofessional handling of the case against the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello.
They also criticised what they described as an attack by EFCC operatives on the Kogi State Government Lodge, stating that it was an assault on the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, and the entire Kogi people.
The lawmakers alleged that the EFCC made an assassination attempt on the former governor and the current one, emphasising that the persecution of the former governor had lasted too long and should come to an end.
This was prompted by a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Akus Lawal, representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency. Hon Jacob Olawunmi, Mopamuro State Constituency, seconded the motion.
Hon. Akus stated that the EFCC aimed to humiliate and possibly harm the present and former governors, a sentiment echoed by other lawmakers. Hon. Olawumi, who seconded the motion, stated that the State Government had continuously published the Audited Financial Reports and argued that “the State House of Assembly can assert that no money is missing to justify EFCC’s unjustified witch-hunt of the former Governor.”
Hon. Abu Jibril of Ajaokuta stressed that the EFCC boss should face prosecution for allegedly attempting to harm the governor and urged the president to remove him immediately.
The Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, alleged that EFCC officials were pleading with the former Governor to let them stage his arrest.
The lawmaker, therefore, suggested that the president should be informed of the assassination attempt on the present and former Governors, adding that the whole situation was a ploy to disgrace the former Governor.
He concluded that on the fateful night, a coup attempt was made at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge and called on the President to immediately remove the EFCC Chairman to prevent further embarrassment to the nation.
The lawmakers concluded that the EFCC had an agenda different from the fight against corruption, which was evident from the Commission’s approach to the issue of arrest.
Hon Yahaya Umar, representing Omala State Constituency, said, “The EFCC’s unlawful conduct shows that the chairman’s intention is not to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello, but to mock the state.
Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, stated, “The EFCC is attempting to tarnish the former Governor’s reputation through their media trial. The EFCC is not genuine in this fight. It has an agenda it is pursuing, and the entire people of the state, particularly the women and youths, will not accept this.”
Similarly, the Kogi State House of Assembly also passed a resolution commending President Bola Tinubu for his economic policies, aiming to build a robust economy that everyone will admire.
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf, who read out the resolution of the House, stated, “The House officially 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.
“Because the EFCC Chairman has constantly shown 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 lawmakers demanded in their resolution