Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo Denies Involvement in N585 Million Scandal Linked to Betta Edu’s Contract.
In the wake of the N585 million scandal involving the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, vehemently denied any association with the company allegedly linked to the controversial contract.
Ejes Gist News Nigeria has previously reported Tunji-Ojo’s company, New Planet Project Limited, received N438 million as ‘consultancy fees’ from Minister Betta Edu.
Tunji-Ojo clarified in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today that he is not a signatory to the company in question.
However, he didn’t denied ownership of the company.
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New Planet Project Limited was among the consultants awarded contracts totaling N3 billion for the National Social Register contract, aimed at facilitating cash transfers and other social investment programs.
The scandal escalated when Edu, as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, directed the Accountant General of the Federation to transfer public funds amounting to N585,198,500.00 to a private account belonging to Oniyelu Bridget Mojisola, identified as a project manager.
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In addition to this, the minister approved funds for flight tickets and airport taxis for her team from Abuja to Kogi State, despite the absence of an airport in the latter.
Reacting to the allegations, Tunji-Ojo stated firmly, “I am not a signatory to the company,” distancing himself from the financial transactions under scrutiny.
In a parallel development, President Bola Tinubu took decisive action on Monday by suspending Minister Betta Edu and initiating a thorough investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities surrounding the controversial contract.
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The suspension underscores the commitment of the administration to uphold transparency and accountability in government affairs.
