Explainer: Why Is The CCB Probing The Minister Of Interior?

The Code of Conduct Bureau has invited the Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo for questioning, over an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. 

Why Is The CCB Inviting The Minister?

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development reportedly awarded New Planet Projects Limited a N438 million consulting contract and Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo is being investigated by the CCB for his purported involvement with the firm.

The minister’s affiliated company, New Planet Project Limited, is said to have received a sum of N438.1 million in total compensation for consulting services from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,  led by the now suspended minister Betta Edu.

The business was among the several consultancy firms that received contracts worth N3 billion for a  National Social Register from the suspended minister.

New Planet Project Limited was first paid N279 million for the verification of the list and another N159 million for the same purpose, according to a document that was seen online. The document disclosed that the company has the interior minister and his wife, Abimbola listed as directors.

However, it goes against the provisions of the Code of Conduct statute and that of the Nigerian constitution. Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct law prohibit public officials from engaging in any business other than farming and from placing themselves in situations where they might present a conflict of interest. 

Reactions

The minister has refuted allegations of personally benefiting from his company’s involvement in the N3 billion social register contracts awarded by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Affairs. He has rejected claims that he received any personal gain from the purported N438.1 million. Additionally, he has chosen not to respond to the invitation from the CCB.