President Tinubu Summons Interior Minister Over N438 Million Contract Scandal

President Bola Tinubu has called upon the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to provide clarification regarding his alleged involvement in a controversial N438 million contract scandal. This scandal is said to involve the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. According to The Nation newspaper, Mr. Tunji-Ojo was summoned by the President on Tuesday to account for his role in a contract awarded to New Planet Project Limited, a company reportedly linked to him.

The minister is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the contract, particularly in relation to the substantial sum labelled as ‘consultancy fees’ received by a firm associated with him from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. A leaked memo circulating online has brought attention to this matter.

In response to these allegations, Mr. Tunji-Ojo denied any direct involvement in the contract during a television interview. He clarified that he had resigned from his directorship of the company in question in 2019. Despite this resignation, he acknowledged that he remained a shareholder in the company, which he co-founded with his wife 15 years ago.

The Minister emphasized that his resignation from the directorship was in line with public service rules, which do not prohibit public officers from being shareholders. He reiterated that he had adhered to these rules by stepping down from his directorial position.

These developments come in the wake of President Tinubu’s suspension of Mrs. Betta Edu on Monday over allegations of diverting over N585 million to a private account.

Premium Times