By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the auspices of Civil Society Group for Good Governance, CSGGG, has insisted that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is not involved in the N438 million contract scandal involving the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
A leaked memo circulating online reveals that New Planet Project Limited, a company which is linked to Mr Tunji-Ojo, received significant funds labelled as ‘consultancy fees’ from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
In his reaction during an interview on Channels TV on Monday Night, Mr Tunji-Ojo refuted the allegations, distancing himself from the fingered company’s operations.
He further provided a document which he claimed was a certified copy from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), showing that he resigned from the said company five years ago.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the convener of the CSOs (CSGGG), Chief Ogakwu Dominic berated the “media brigandage and concoction of lies” levelled against Mr Tunji-Ojo, adding that the allegation was an attempt to smear the reputation and integrity of the minister who in few months of assumption into office, has shown commitment to the mandate of the Ministry of Interior in accordance with the tenets of national development.
He said, “It is a well-known fact that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has repeatedly exonerated himself, providing evidence, from any involvement in the controversial N438 million contract scandal related to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.
“Additionally, the Minister, Mr. Tunji-Ojo, presented a certified document from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), confirming his resignation from the company five years ago. He has no business with the said company—absolutely no business—because he’s not involved in the day-to-day running of the company.
“He also does not pursue jobs for the company, does not bid for the company, and is not a signatory to the company’s account. May we reiterate that ‘he is not involved and shouldn’t be roped in. Those involved should bear the consequences of their actions alone’.
“Civil Society Group For Good Governance wishes to clarify that public service rules do not prohibit public officers from being shareholders. The rule stipulates that individuals cannot be directors, a position from which Minister Tunji-Ojo resigned about five years ago.
“The Minister holds no directorship in any company. He serves solely as the Minister of Interior for the Federation and is not involved in the N438 million Humanitarian Ministry Contract.”
According to Ogakwu, Mr Tunji-Ojo has measured in integrity, uprightness, dedication, commitment and capacity, and therefore deserves not to be dragged for what is not within his jurisdiction.
He said the Minister deserved to be applauded for his efforts as a serving public steward, who has emerged as a beacon of transformative leadership in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“May we use this medium to bring to limelight some of the milestones achieved by this rare gift, so that while the naysayers are being judge and jury passing judgements in the social media space, these achievements of his, should also find a space in the same social medium and other mainstream media.
“Without photos, cameras and press conferences, the Minister Tunji-Ojo at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), orchestrated the clearance of an overwhelming backlog of 204,332 passports within a record-breaking three-week period, rescuing the nation from the grip of a dire national crisis, he collaborated with private sectors to raise N500m fines owed by over 4,000 prison inmates in order to free them, thereby decongesting the overpacked correctional centers across the nation.
“The Minister’s stance on international relations demonstrates his commitment to reciprocity in visa processes, challenging inequitable privileges granted to foreign nationals while championing the rights of Nigerian applicants, in fact he pledged to revolutionize passport processing, promising a two-week timeline, and the introduction of home and office delivery of passports commencing in February, 2024.
“The same Minister, introduced technology in the security of our border, he also initiated and introduced the E-gate system in our international airports reducing physical contacts with immigration officers to curtail bribery and other fraudulent practices,” Chief Dominic added.
The coalition therefore commended President Tinubu for his swift response in suspending those directly involved in the sharp practices exposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They also urged the Anti-Graft agency to be transparent and diligent in their investigation as the general public and the civil society community are actively interested in the outcome of the matter at hand.