Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo opens up on receiving N438m consultancy fees from Humanitarian Ministry
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has refuted any connection to the N438.1 million consultancy contract awarded to New Planet Project Limited by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
According to a report, the controversy surrounding the contract escalated after President Bola Tinubu directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate financial transactions involving the ministry.
Former minister Dr. Betta Edu, who was suspended on Monday, faced criticism over a leaked memo instructing the transfer of N585 million to a private account.
Allegations surfaced in certain media outlets suggesting that a company owned by Minister Tunji-Ojo received payments from Edu’s ministry.
Responding to these claims during an appearance on Channels TV Politics Today, Tunji-Ojo clarified that he founded New Planet Project Limited a decade ago but resigned from directorship in 2019 when he contested for the House of Representatives.
Tunji-Ojo stated, “I have to say this, I saw it and I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was the director. About five years ago, I had resigned my directorship. Yes, I founded the company 10 years ago.”
He substantiated his statement with documentation, presenting a Certified True Copy of Corporate Affairs Commission records from 2019.
Tunji-Ojo affirmed his non-involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company. “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,” he stated.
Despite maintaining his status as a shareholder, Tunji-Ojo asserted that public service rules do not prohibit officers from holding shares. Addressing the core concerns, Tunji-Ojo urged relevant agencies to investigate the contract processes.
“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,” he said.
