Bayo Ojulari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, was not abducted or coerced into resigning by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), NAIJAONPOINT has learned.
Sources within the anti-graft agency and secret service described the claim that EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin, were involved in Ojulari’s alleged abduction and forced resignation as “ridiculous, mischievous, and fake.”
The rebuttal comes in response to a report published by an online newspaper on Saturday, alleging that Ojulari was detained by the EFCC and DSS on Friday and compelled to sign a resignation letter.
However, sources familiar with the matter dismissed the allegations, stating that there was no reason for Olukoyede and Ajayi to “abduct or force anyone to resign an appointment,” as they are not the appointing authority.
“Besides, if they need anyone to account for anything, they do it through formal invitations or written communication,” the source said.
“Whatever does not follow such procedures is not true and should not be taken seriously. The EFCC chairman is not a bully.
Another source also dismissed the claims, emphasizing that the DSS, under the leadership of Ajayi, is a professional and highly disciplined organization that would not be involved in any unlawful or coercive action.
“The DSS under Ajayi is a well-structured and law-abiding institution. It operates within the boundaries of the law and due process.
“It is laughable to suggest that such a reputable agency would participate in anything as crude and illegal as abducting or forcing someone to resign. That’s simply not how the DSS operates,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has also denied reports suggesting that Ojulari was removed from office. Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told NAIJAONPOINT in an exclusive chat on Saturday that the claims were “false, unfounded, and fake.”
The controversy surrounding Bayo Ojulari stems from allegations linked to a $21 million (₦34.65 billion) corruption scandal.
Civil society organisations, including OilWatch Nigeria and the Workers’ Rights Alliance, have demanded Ojulari’s arrest and prosecution.
These calls follow claims that Abdullahi Bashir Haske, an alleged detained associate, allegedly confessed to holding the funds on Ojulari’s behalf.
At a press conference held on July 31, the coalition accused Ojulari of economic sabotage, citing the prolonged shutdown of Nigeria’s refineries and purported plans to privatise NNPC Limited’s assets.
To press their demands, the coalition launched a three-day protest beginning August 1, staging demonstrations at the National Assembly, NNPC headquarters, and EFCC offices.
Further allegations centre on a $21 million kickback scheme involving oil traders and pipeline contractors, reportedly uncovered after Ojulari reassigned responsibility for fund collections. This shift allegedly triggered a whistleblower’s alert to the EFCC, which subsequently froze the implicated account.
In May 2025, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also called on the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate claims that ₦500 billion in NNPC revenue was not remitted to the Federation Account between October and December 2024.
However, not all voices have joined the calls for prosecution. Groups such as the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives (CGGCI) and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) have defended Bayo Ojulari, describing the protests as politically motivated attempts to derail his reform agenda.
They praised reforms initiated under Ojulari’s leadership, including the introduction of real-time monitoring systems, audits of opaque contracts, and measures to stabilise fuel supply—efforts they claim have helped reduce queues at petrol stations. These groups have urged President Bola Tinubu to back Ojulari’s anti-corruption drive.
Nonetheless, critics have flagged concerns over alleged extravagant spending, including a costly retreat in Kigali involving private jets, as well as reports of a toxic work environment that has led to multiple staff resignations.