In spite of the explanation offered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, that he knew nothing of the N438.1 million consultancy contract between his company New Planet Project Limited and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, netizens have continued to drag him.
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, directed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, to investigate all financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Dr Betta Edu was the minister in charge of the ministry until the President suspended her on Monday.
Edu ran into troubled waters after a leaked memo on December 20, 2023, revealed that she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.
However, some sections of the media report that a company owned by the Minister of Interior was allegedly paid N438.1 million by Edu as consultancy services.
“The company, New Planet Project Limited was one of the numerous consultants awarded contracts from N3 billion given out by the suspended minister for the National Social Register contract,” it stated.
Reacting, Tunji-Ojo while appearing on Channels TV Politics Today, on Monday night revealed that he founded the company 10 years ago, but resigned from directorship in 2019 when he contested for House of Representatives.
The Minister of Interior, who described the report as shocking, said he is just a shareholder in the company and not involved in the day-to-day running of New Planet Project Limited.
He said “I have to say this, I saw it and I was shocked because the company in question was a company, where I was the director.
“About five years ago, I had resigned my directorship. Yes, I founded the company 10 years ago. In 2019 and when I got to the House of Representatives, when I won the election precisely, I resigned. I resigned 4th of February 2019 with a Certified True Copy of Corporate Affairs Commission as far back as 2019 to prove this.”
Tunji-Ojo, who said he came into public office knowing fully well that Nigerians would ask questions, charged relevant agencies to probe the contract processes.
He added, “I do not run the company. I don’t have any knowledge of the contract. I am not a signatory to any account. I am not a director of the company.
“The company is a limited liability company, which is a private entity. So if the company is a private entity, of course, I am still a shareholder, and to the best of my knowledge public service rule does not prohibit public officers from being shareholders.
“What public service rule says is that you cannot be a director, of which I had resigned about five years ago.
“I have no business with it, absolutely no business. Because I am not involved in the day-to-day running of the company. I do not pursue jobs for the company. I do not bid for the company. I am not a signatory to the company’s account. I am not involved.
“So the company is an entity on its own. If then, the question should be was the job given to the company? If the answer is yes. Then the question is did they follow due process? It is a yes. Did the company deliver on the job? If it’s a yes. Then number three is that they did deliver in line with the agreement of the contract? If it is a no, then they should be sanctioned by the book”.
However, his explanation has not stopped online citizens from attacking him.
POpular activist, NEFERTITI @firstladyship, wrote:
“The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, he thinks he is smart? Being a shareholder in a company, it means that you share in the profits of that company at the end of each financial year. Is this even a rocket science?
You have shares in the company that benefitted from The Betta Gate Scandal. Relinquishing your directorship role is immaterial, it doesn’t exonerate you!
His attempt to take control of The Narrative on Channels TV, is dead on arrival. Quid pro quo is corruption, & it has dire consequences. It is by no means subtle.
When you break the Public trust reposed on you, the honorable thing to do, is to step aside. Tunji should step aside immediately. And Bola Tinubu should not wait for another public outcry, before he does the needful.”
@ApexHodde wrote: “The law has to take its full course. No compromise! My only regret here would be that he was the only performing minister from the largest cabinet in the universe. This means the selector sure doesn’t know how to assemble good hands.
In other words, his replacement might just be worse than his predecessor. Nigeria, buckle up for the most turbulent ride since democracy!”
@Dearestjessie_: “Of course, Tunji-Ojo participated in the whole looting through his private company owned by him and his wife.”
@Sirodue1: “Looter Tunji Ojo must resign now”
