The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has vehemently denied allegations tying him to a company involved in a controversial N438 million contract linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.
A leaked memo circulating online alleged that a company, reportedly owned by Tunji-Ojo, received N438 million designated as ‘consultancy fees’ from Edu.
In response, Tunji-Ojo clarified his position during an interview on Channels TV on Monday, stating, “I am not a signatory to the company.”
He expressed shock at the accusations, revealing that he had resigned from his directorship in the said company about five years ago.
Tunji-Ojo, co-founder of the company alongside his wife 15 years ago, further explained, “In 2019, when I got to the House of Representatives and won the election, I made a change. I had resigned as director of the company to hold office. Of course, and to the best of my knowledge, the public service rule does not prohibit public officers from being shareholders.”
The company in question, New Planet Project Limited, was awarded contracts worth N438 million as ‘consultancy fees’ from Edu.
The controversy arises as Betta Edu faces suspension by President Bola Tinubu for allegedly diverting over N585 million to a private account.
The connection between New Planet Project Limited and Minister Tunji-Ojo raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and prompts scrutiny into whether the minister may have misused his position to secure the contract.
However, Tunji-Ojo asserted that he cannot be held responsible for the actions of a company he no longer runs.
In light of the allegations, President Bola Tinubu suspended Betta Edu and initiated an investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities involving the diversion of public funds to a private account.
