Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is set to face the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) regarding his alleged involvement in a N438 million contract awarded to New Planet Projects, a company he co-founded. Leaked documents suggest the funds were designated as "consultancy fees" from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, currently embroiled in various controversies.
Despite the minister's denial of any wrongdoing and claims of his disassociation from the company since 2019, the CCB has summoned him for an interview at its headquarters in Abuja on January 16, 2024. The investigation revolves around a potential breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Calls for Tunji-Ojo's suspension echo from political quarters, with the Young Progressives Party (YPP) urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take action. The YPP, in a petition, asserts that the minister lacks the integrity to remain in office during an ongoing investigation.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP) also demands the minister's immediate suspension, challenging the legitimacy of the contract and raising questions about due process. Notable figures, including a lawyer and social critic, Audu Bulama Bukarti, emphasize the need for an unbiased inquiry into Tunji-Ojo's role and the circumstances surrounding the lucrative consultancy contract.
Amidst the mounting pressure, the Ijaw Professionals' Forum (IPF) urges caution, reminding President Tinubu to consider opposition elements seeking political advantage in the controversy.
The Presidency has called for patience, emphasizing the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga urges against premature judgments, stating that no one is deemed a saint or sinner until the EFCC concludes its inquiry.
