Reports of EFCC Chair, Olukoyede’s Abduction of NNPCL Boss, Ojulari Is Fake News

MICHAEL AKINOLA

The report of abduction and forced resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer, GCEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL by the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has been described as false and mischievous.

Sources within the Commission told our correspondent that the report, is to “say the least, ridiculous and mischievous”.

According to an insider in the anti-graft agency, Olukoyede, as the Chairman, does not need to abduct or force anyone to resign an appointment since he is not an appointing authority.

“Besides, if he needs anyone to account for anything, he does it by writing or inviting the person formally. Whatever does not follow such procedures is not true and should not be taken seriously,” the source told our Correspondent.

The source added that EFCC Chairman is not a bully.

“He is a law-abiding Chief Executive of the nation’s most important anti-graft agency. He has never abducted, coerced, tortured or caused anyone to resign his position at any time. The public should ignore fake news peddlers and their false narratives,” he said.

Recently, the newly appointed Ojulari was allegedly abducted by both the DSS and EFCC on Friday and pressured to sign his resignation, over an alleged clash of interest with some powerful forces.

Ojulari, a Yoruba Muslim from Kwara State in Northern Nigeria, was appointed GCEO of the NNPCL by President Bola Tinubu less than five months ago precisely on April 2, 2025.

Before this, he served as the executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Renaissance African Energy Company. He is also a former managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo). A mechanical engineer by training, he is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.