The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has denied allegations that it abducted or forced the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, to resign, following the speculation about his resignation.
A top source within the EFCC, however, confirmed that the anti-graft agency received a petition against the NNPCL boss.
On Saturday, rumours of Ojulari’s alleged interrogation and forced resignation spread on social media, with some reports claiming that he was pressured by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Ajayi, to sign a resignation letter.
However, it was gathered that due to the sensitivity of the matter, a top EFCC official dismissed the forced resignation report.
The official said, “Those are fake news. It is not true that the EFCC abducted him (Ojulari). On Thursday, protesters came to our office with a petition that they want the commission to investigate the NNPC Ltd chairman.
“These people have the right to submit petitions. We told them we would look into the petition. So, where is the abduction? People should be careful about spreading rumours.”
Similarly, a top DSS official also dismissed claims that the agency’s Director-General orchestrated a so-called “coup” to unlawfully remove Ojulari from office.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the allegations as unfounded and misleading.
“The DSS is not involved in the allegation. In fact, our boss mentioned that the commission has no hand in it,” the official said.
However, some NNPC Ltd inside sources infer there were indications that some individuals within the Presidency were uneasy with the leadership style of Ojulari, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in April to replace Mele Kyari, who headed the corporation for six years.
Unlike his predecessor, Ojulari was said to be steering the NNPC.Ltd strictly as a commercial enterprise, reportedly resisting pressure from political interests.
His recent dismissal of several top NNPC officials was believed to have unsettled some influential government figures and politicians linked to those affected.
Sources also noted that Ojulari was under suspicion for allegedly maintaining ties with a prominent opposition politician in the country.
However, attempts to obtain an official response from the NNPC Ltd to the rumoured resignation were unsuccessful, as the company has yet to appoint a new spokesperson following the resignation of Olufemi Soneye.
No response has been elicited from NNPC Ltd staff members.
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