Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Chairman Ola Olukoyede’s immediate removal following the reported attack on the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja’s Asokoro district by EFCC operatives last week.
The lawmakers who expressed worries over his unprofessional handling of the case against the immediate past Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
At Monday’s plenary, the Assembly condemned the EFCC operatives’ purported unprovoked attack on the Kogi State Government Lodge, viewing it as an attack on Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and the entire Kogi State.
The lawmakers accused the EFCC of attempting to assassinate former Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello and incumbent Ahmed Usman Ododo, stating that the former governor’s persecution had gone too far and must cease.
Hon. Akus Lawal, representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency, moved a motion of urgent public importance, which was seconded by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi of Ijumu State Constituency, leading to the resolution.
Hon. Akus stated that the EFCC aimed to humiliate and possibly kill current and former governors, a claim supported by his colleagues.
Hon. Abu Jibril of Ajaokuta State Constituency demanded the prosecution of the EFCC boss for allegedly attempting to kill the governor and called for his immediate removal by the President.
According to him, the EFCC’s conduct indicates that the chairman is incapable of leading an impartial agency like the EFCC.
“The Chairman has demonstrated incompetence that warrants his removal”
“Bode Ogunmola, Ogori/Magongo State Constituency (PDP) representative, said, ‘In times of crisis, places like the Nigerian House in London or Kogi Lodge in Abuja should offer safety. Therefore, the EFCC Chairman’s order to open fire on the Governor’s lodge warrants his immediate sack and prosecution, and we demand to know why he wants to harm our Governor.”
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, alleged that EFCC officials begged the former Governor to pretend he was arrested.
He described it as an embarrassing act that showed the anti-graft agency was acting out a script written by some of the former Governor’s political enemies.
The lawmaker suggested that the President be informed of the assassination attempt on the present and former governors, pointing out that the whole drama was meant to embarrass the former governor.
He concluded that a coup attempt occurred at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge on that fateful night and urged the President to immediately remove the EFCC Chairman to spare the nation further embarrassment.
Yahaya Umar, Honorable representative of Omala State Constituency, claimed the EFCC’s conduct shows the chairman seeks to ridicule the state, rather than arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, stated that the EFCC’s actions are merely an attempt to tarnish the former Governor’s image through media trial, adding that the EFCC lacks sincerity in its fight and has a hidden agenda.
The Kogi State House of Assembly thereby passed a resolution praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for implementing economic policies designed to create a robust economy that will be the envy of all.
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf, stated that the House formally categorizes the April 17 and September 18 incidents as assassination attempts on the former Governor and a threat to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s life.
“The EFCC’s unprovoked attack on the Governor’s Lodge and firing of live rounds in a diplomatic residential zone show it has developed an exaggerated sense of self-importance and power, now placing itself above the law and beyond accountability.”
“The lawmakers have unanimously resolved that the President should immediately dismiss the EFCC Chairman due to his sustained display of incompetence and appoint a suitably qualified officer to revitalize the administration’s rule of law campaign.”
