By Funso Alarape
With Franktalknow report
Monday January 15, 2024
Please, share the story
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to address allegations linking his company to the N438 million contract scam in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
This development signifies a significant move in the Bureau’s investigation into potential breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by the Minister.
According to exclusive information obtained by Punch on Monday, a company reportedly associated with the Minister, New Planet Projects, is said to have benefited from the alleged contract irregularities within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
The CCB has scheduled the Minister’s appearance for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB Headquarters located in the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
The invitation, signed by CCB Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Gwimi S.P, on behalf of CCB Chairman Murtala Aliyu, cites the Bureau’s mandate and powers as outlined in the Third Schedule, Part 1, 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The letter addressed to the Minister, 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 under 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.”
However, the Interior Minister has said that he was not involved in the N438.1 million consultancy contract between New Planet Project Limited and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
“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.
“About five years ago, I had resigned my directorship. Yes, I founded the company 10 years ago. In 2019 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.”
“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 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”.
We are here to serve you with quality news and information.
However, your donations and advert placement are welcome.
Contact us on 08033783144
08023469999
idowuadelusi@yahoo.com, idowuadelusi@gmail.com,
thepathfindernews0@gmail.com
Follow our reports also on X @idowuadelusi
God Bless You.