Did EFCC 'Abduct' NNPC Boss Bayo Ojulari? Source Speaks Out
- Reports emerged that Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, was pressured into signing a resignation letter
- The report said operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) forced Ojulari to quit his role as NNPP boss
- An EFCC source reacted, saying there was no need for the anti-graft agency boss, Ola Olukoyede, to “abduct or force anyone to resign an appointment"
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - A source in the the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said Bayo Ojulari, the group chief executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, was neither abducted nor forced to resign.
As reported by The Cable on Saturday night, August 2, a source within the anti-graft agency refuted the viral claim that Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of EFCC, sanctioned the abduction and alleged subsequent forceful resignation of Ojulari.
Source: Twitter
The EFCC source said:
"If he (Olukoyede) 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.
"EFCC chairman is not a bully. He is a law-abiding chief executive of the nation’s most important anti-graft agency.”
Legit.ng recalls that an online newspaper (not Legit.ng) had reported that Ojulari was compelled by the EFCC to tender his resignation.
The controversy stems from allegations surrounding a $21 million (N34.65 billion) corruption scandal.
Civil society groups, including OilWatch Nigeria and the Workers’ Rights Alliance, called for Ojulari’s arrest and prosecution. These groups referenced claims that Abdullahi Bashir Haske, a detained associate, allegedly confessed to holding the funds on Ojulari’s behalf.
Additional allegations centre on a $21 million kickback scheme involving oil traders and pipeline contractors, reportedly uncovered after Ojulari reassigned fund collection responsibilities. This prompted a whistleblower to alert the EFCC, which subsequently froze the implicated account.
Defence for Bayo Ojulari
However, groups like the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives (CGGCI) have defended Ojulari, suggesting that the anti-Ojulari rhetoric may be politically-motivated efforts to derail his purported reform agenda in the NNPCL.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Ojulari in April 2025.
Tinubu had dissolved the previous board of NNPC, including relieving its group chief executive officer, Mele Kyari, and board chairman Pius Akinyelure, of their duties.
Read more on Bayo Ojulari:
- NNPC’s Ojulari exposes sabotage attempts by internal, external actors
- NNPC: Experts call for caution, amid rising opposition against Bayo Ojulari, new board members
Presidency says Ojulari still serving
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s presidency said Ojulari has not been forced to sign his resignation letter.
Sunday Dare, a presidential spokesperson, made this clarification in a terse statement.
Dare's clarification comes as the viral report claimed that Adeola Ajayi, director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), was involved in Ojulari's alleged abduction.
Source: Legit.ng
