The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied reports that it abducted or forced Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to resign amid growing speculation about his alleged resignation.
While the EFCC has refuted claims of foul play, a senior official at the agency confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that a petition against Ojulari was indeed received.
“There was no abduction. Protesters submitted a petition at our office on Thursday, requesting an investigation into the NNPCL chairman. We simply acknowledged it and assured them of a review,” the EFCC source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained.
On Saturday, social media buzzed with reports that Ojulari was pressured by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, to sign a resignation letter.
However, a senior DSS official also debunked the reports, describing them as “baseless and misleading,” stating that their Director-General had no involvement in the situation.
Behind the scenes, sources within NNPCL revealed internal tensions tied to Ojulari’s leadership style.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in April to replace Mele Kyari, Ojulari has reportedly taken a more business-driven approach to running the oil corporation, resisting political influence.
His recent shake-up in the company, which included the dismissal of several senior officials, is said to have unsettled powerful figures within and around the presidency.
Additionally, Ojulari is suspected by some insiders of maintaining links with a notable opposition politician.
Efforts to get an official statement from NNPCL proved difficult, as the company currently has no spokesperson after the recent resignation of Olufemi Soneye.
Staff contacted by Sunday PUNCH neither confirmed nor denied the resignation rumour.
Ojulari, however, made a public appearance earlier in the week before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.
He was summoned to respond to audit queries regarding the NNPC’s financial reports from 2017 to 2023, which cited an unaccounted sum of N210 trillion.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmed Wadada, clarified that the funds were not missing or stolen but comprised N103 trillion in liabilities and N107 trillion in assets that needed proper documentation.
Ojulari, addressing the Senate, apologised for not attending earlier hearings and asked for more time to study the issues raised.
He assured the committee of his commitment to providing accurate responses, promising to work with external auditors and relevant stakeholders.
Although he initially requested four weeks, the Senate granted him three weeks to submit written responses before appearing again with his team for further clarification.
Bayo Ojulari’s appearance marked his first since assuming office, just over 100 days ago.
