A leaked document had revealed that the firm received the fund as payment for “consultancy fees” from the humanitarian ministry, which has been enmeshed in several scandals, resulting in the suspension of the minister, Dr. Betta Edu, and the coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.

Tunji-Ojo, who denies any wrongdoing, explained in an interview that he ceased to be a director of New Planet Projects in 2019.

However, the CCB in a letter has summoned Tunji-Ojo for an interview as part of an investigation into a potential breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers at its headquarters situated at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

The letter was signed by the Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Gwimi S.P., on behalf of the Bureau’s Chairman, Murtala Aliyu.

“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.

In another statement yesterday, the Head of the Press and Public Relations Department of the CCB, Veronica Kato, confirmed that the Bureau had commenced an investigation into the alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by Tunji-Ojo.

“It can be recalled that the minister has been in the news recently for an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, particularly, a conflict of interest in the execution of a contract awarded to a company belonging to the Minister by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs”, she said.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend Tunji-Ojo over the scandal, citing concerns about his integrity during the ongoing investigation.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also demanded his immediate suspension, challenging him to publish details related to the contract, including due process certification documents and the scope of the job.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw Professionals’ Forum (IPF) urged caution, advising President Tinubu to be wary of opposition elements and “enemies” of his government who were calling for Tunbji-Ojo’s suspension.

The group, in a letter signed by its Secretary, Clarkson Ayibapreye, said: “Mr. President must always remember that his government has opposition. Once a story like this is in public domain your opposition will also like to take undue advantage of it”.

No saint, no sinner until after investigation

– Presidency

The Presidency yesterday pleaded with Nigerians to exercise patience and allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to complete its investigation.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said this in a chat with Daily Trust when asked to comment on the calls for the suspension of the minister of interior.

He said: “I will plead that Nigerians should exercise patience and allow the EFCC to complete its investigation. There is no saint, no sinner yet until the EFCC says so. Let’s refrain from media trial and mauling of the people and issues being probed.”

The Presidency called on Nigerians to exercise patience and allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to complete its investigation.