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- Insists on suspension
The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has said it would stage what it called ‘mega protest’ on January 18, and petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to press home their demand for the suspension and probe of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo over alleged abuse of office.
Tunji Ojo was fingered in the N438 million scandal that rocked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and led to the suspension of Betta Edu, Halima Shehu and the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
The YPP had, in a petition, dated January 10, 2024, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and signed by its National Chairman, Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, demanding his removal from office, for a seamless investigation.
In a statement on Sunday, Amakiri, said: “The Young Progressives Party, YPP, as party committed to promoting accountability, and good governance, hereby submit this petition against Mr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the Minister of Interior, citing abuse of office.
“We have gathered evidence that a company owned by Mr Tunji Ojo, New Plant Project Limited was paid a total sum of N438.1 million by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the leadership of Dr Beta Edu, for consultancy services.
“This payment was part of the N3 billion awarded to several consultants for the National Social Register contract, which was intended for cash transfers and social investment programmes.
“The payment made to Tunji Ojo’s company, New Planet Project Limited, include N279 million for the verification of the list and an additional N159 million for the same purpose.
“It is worth noting that the company, which was registered March 3, 2009, with registration number 804833, has Minister Tunji Ojo and his wife Abimbola, listed as directors with Gbadamasi Gbadamasi Clement as company’s secretary.
“We strongly believe that Minister Tunji Ojo’s actions are in direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Code of Conduct law. Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct law clearly prohibits public officers from engaging in conflicts of interests and participating in any business other than farming.
“It is a known fact that contact of this magnitude could not have been approved except by the Federal Executive Council, which Minister Tunji Ojo is a member.
“As the President, we trust that you will give this petition the due consideration it deserves and take the necessary actions to uphold accountability and the rule of law.”
