By Damilare Adeleye
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has summoned Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, to appear before it on Tuesday, 16th January, 2024.
It is understood that the Bureau was established to ensure the maintenance of high standards in the conduct of government business and to enforce the code of conduct for public officers as contained in Part I of the Third and Fifth schedules to the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
It therefore summoned the Minister over the alleged involvement of his company in a N438million contract scandal.
The CCB, in a letter that was signed on behalf of Murtala Aliyu, its Chairman, by Gwimi S.P, Director of Investigation and Monitoring, directed the Minister of Interior to appear at its headquarters in Abuja.
“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,” the letter read.
It was recalled that a company, New Planet Projects, allegedly belonging to Tunji-Ojo, was listed as a beneficiary of a N585m contract payment scandal that led to the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu by President Bola Tinubu.
The company was one of the consultants awarded contracts worth N3billion by the suspended minister for the National Social Register contract.