By Fatima Saka
The Code of Conduct Bureau summoned Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on the scandal of payment of N438m as a consultancy fee to a company linked to him that led to the suspension of Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.
The CCB invites the embattled minister to appear before it on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB Headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
A leaked memo had shown that the firm traced to Mr Tunji-Ojo received N438 million as payment for ‘consultancy fees’ from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
But the interior minister denies any involvement in the contract, insisting that he was no longer involved in the running of the company after resigning as its director in 2019.
Despite the denial, the CBB in an invitation dated 10 January but seen on Monday has asked Mr Tunji-Ojo to appear before it on Tuesday, 16 January, for interrogation over the contract scandal.
The invitation letter was signed by Gwimi S.P, who heads CCB’s department of intelligence, investigation and monitoring.
“The Minister is invited to appear before the Bureau on Tuesday 16 January 2024 at CCB Headquarters located at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja,” a statement signed by Kato Veronica, head of CCB’s Press and Public Relations, said.
The bureau said its investigation is part of its statutory mandate as stipulated in the Nigerian constitution.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau has commenced an investigation into the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by the Hon. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,” the statement added.
The statement further said, “a company named New Planet Projects, allegedly belonging to the Minister (Mr Tunji-Ojo) benefitted from an alleged contract scam from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.”
Barely a week, President Bola Tinubu summoned the interior minister in respect of the allegation, but no handi information about what transcribed.
