Tunji-Ojo Faces CCB Probe Over Alleged N438million Contract Scam

iexclusivenews – The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement in a contract scam worth N438 million by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The CCB is investigating the minister for allegedly violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, as his company, New Planet Projects Limited, was among the beneficiaries of the contract scam perpetrated by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

CCB Invitation

According to a document obtained by PUNCH on Monday, the CCB invited Tunji-Ojo to appear before it on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB Headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

The document, signed by the CCB Director, Investigation and Monitoring, Gwimi S.P, on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu, stated that the Bureau’s invitation was based on its mandate and powers as stipulated in the Third Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The invitation read, “The bureau is investigating a case of alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in which your name featured prominently. Consequently, you are invited for an interview scheduled as follows:

“Date: Tuesday, 16th January, 2024. Time: 1100hrs prompt. Venue: CCB Headquarters on 5th Floor, Annex III, Phase I, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

“This invitation is pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 3 (e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Please be properly guided.”

MORE NEWS:

CSO Gives Tunji-Ojo 48 Hours To Resign Over Alleged Corruption

Betta Edu: Ndume Warns Tinubu Of Cabal Threat In Aso Rock 

How Accountant General Exposed Betta Edu’s N585m Scam

Contract Scam

This online news outlet on January 8 reported that the company, New Planet Project Limited, owned by the Minister, received a total sum of N438.1 million from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under Betta Edu for consultancy services.

The company was one of the many consultants awarded contracts from N3 billion disbursed by the suspended minister for the National Social Register contract.

In a document obtained, Tunji-Ojo’s New Planet Project Limited was first paid N279 million for verification of the list and then another N159 million for the same task.

An independent check by SaharaReporters revealed that the firm has the interior minister and his wife, Abimbola, as directors.

One Gbadamasi Gbadamasi Clement is also listed as the secretary of the company, which was registered on March 3, 2009, with registration number 804833.

The action is, however, contrary to the Nigerian Constitution and Code of Conduct law.

The Code of Conduct law, in sections 5 and 6, prohibits public officers from putting themselves in positions of conflict of interest and prevents them from engaging in any business other than farming.

Minister’s Defence

iexclusivenews had also reported that the Network for Growth and Actualization of Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group, challenged Tunji-Ojo’s defence over his participation in the controversial N3 billion contracts awarded by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The minister had denied personally benefiting through his company from the N438.1 million from the alleged controversial N3 billion social register contract.