6-8-2025
Economic and Financial Crimes Commision chairman Ola Olukoyede, has demanded a retraction from the Peoples Gazette, but the online publication is standing by its story, which reported that Olukoyede played a role in the attempt to force Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited CEO Bayo Ojulari out of office.
In the August 2 report the publication had alleged that the EFCC boss and his State Security Service counterpart, Adeola Ajayi, forcibly detained Mr. Ojulari and coerced him to sign a resignation letter he did not write.
The NNPCL boss was reportedly saved by the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, he resumed office on Monday, and he has neither confirmed nor denied the story.
The Gazette’s report further said Messrs Ajayi and Olukoyede were working on the orders of Mr Ayinde, a notorious influence-peddler and criminal suspect now widely feared for her close ties to President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Olukoyede’s lawyers at high-end Lagos firm Citipoint said the story cast their client in a sordid light and should be retracted within 48 hours of their August 6, 2025, letter.
The lawyers, led by senior lawyer Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, said Mr Olukoyede “endeavoured to be responsive and appreciative of every scrutinous feedback he has received from the public and the media regarding his conduct” in office.
.However, the Peoples Managing Editor Samuel Ogundipe said the paper is unfazed by Mr Olukoyede’s missive, which he said appeared ill-disguised to intimidate the outlet and its journalists.
“We confronted the EFCC and other agencies featured in our story because we had absolute confidence in the epistemic process and rigour of its sourcing,” Mr. Ogundipe said via a text message on Wednesday afternoon. “They sidestepped the opportunity to comment before publication, and, several days later, they still haven’t publicly denied the story despite being inundated with requests from everyday Nigerians and media outlets around the world.”
.”