The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, declined an invitation from the Code of Conduct Bureau for an ongoing investigation into an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers. On Tuesday, our correspondent, present at the CCB headquarters in Federal Secretariat, Abuja, noted that the minister, who was supposed to meet with interrogators at 11 am, did not appear between 10 am and 1 pm.
Veronica Kato, the spokesperson for the CCB, confirmed the development in a telephone interview on Tuesday. She mentioned that the minister’s interrogation would be rescheduled for a later date due to his memo to the bureau, citing a national assignment. Kato stated, “Yes, the minister’s interrogation has been rescheduled. He wrote, asking that it be rescheduled because he has a national assignment, so it has been rescheduled for a later date.”
When asked about the next scheduled date, she replied, “We don’t have a precise date now, but it has been rescheduled to another day.”
The CCB had invited the embattled minister concerning his company’s involvement in a ₦438 million contract with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. The company, New Planet Projects, allegedly owned by the minister, reportedly benefited from a contract with the ministry.
An exclusive document obtained by our correspondent on Monday revealed that the CCB invited the minister to appear on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja. The letter, signed by Gwimi S.P, the CCB Director of Investigation and Monitoring, on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu, explained that the bureau’s invitation was based on its mandate and powers as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part 1, 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution. 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 pursuant to 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.”
Interest groups defend Tunji-Ojo, allege media trial
Meanwhile, certain interest groups, including the Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations (CCRO) and Elite Africa, have come to the defense of the embattled minister, countering the allegations against him. They accuse the media of conducting a trial and suggest that his opponents are discontented with his ‘growing popularity.’
In a statement released on Monday, the CCRO declared, “The Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations unequivocally wishes to debunk the purported invitation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged corruption.”
The statement continued, “This latest report by a section of the media is another in the series of the campaign of calumny which has recently been orchestrated by sponsored propagandists who are mainly out to discredit the radical transformation being undertaken by Tunji-Ojo, and by extension, to undermine the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.”
Expressing skepticism about the allegations, the CCRO stated, “There is no doubt that the timing and nature of these allegations appear suspicious and politically motivated, aiming to tarnish the reputation of a public servant known for his commitment to transparency and accountability.”
The group further questioned the credibility of the accusations, stating, “We have thoroughly examined the circumstances surrounding the purported invitation by the CCB and find them to lack credible evidence, resembling a smear campaign rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.”
Meanwhile, Elite Africa, in a separate statement, criticized the South West Integrity Group for calling for Tunji-Ojo’s suspension over alleged corruption. The statement asserted,
“The South West Integrity Group, in a publication, had stated that Tunji-Ojo should resign over his alleged involvement in the recent controversy in the award of contracts at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.”
Pointing to the timing of the allegations and the reforms instituted by Tunji-Ojo, Elite Africa raised suspicions, stating, “The timing of these allegations, coupled with the sweeping reforms he has instituted, raises eyebrows.
It seems certain elements within the political landscape are uneasy with Tunji-Ojo’s unyielding stance against corruption. His track record of dismantling established systems of exploitation has made him a thorn in the side of those who thrived on malfeasance.”