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JUST IN: Tunji-Ojo Shuns CCB Invite

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has shunned an invitation by the Code of Conduct Bureau over an ongoing investigation bordering on alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers.

The PUNCH correspondent who was at the CCB headquarters, Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Tuesday, observed that the minister, who was scheduled to meet with interrogators at 11am, did not show up at the bureau between 10am and 1pm.

Confirming the development in a telephone interview on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the CCB, Veronica Kato, said the minister’s interrogation would be rescheduled for a later date following his memo to the bureau citing national assignment.

“Yes, the minister’s interrogation has been rescheduled. He wrote, asking that it be rescheduled because he has a national assignment, so it has been rescheduled for a later date,” Kato said.

When asked about the next scheduled date, she said there was no specific date yet.

“We don’t have a precise date now, but it has been rescheduled to another day,” she said.

The CCB had invited the embattled minister over the involvement of his company in a ₦438 million contract with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The company, New Planet Projects, allegedly belonging to the minister, benefitted from a contract from the ministry.

A document exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Monday revealed that the CCB invited the minister to appear before it on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.

The document signed by Gwimi S.P, the CCB Director, Investigation and Monitoring, on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu, revealed that the bureau’s invitation is hinged on its mandate and powers as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part 1, 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution.

The letter addressed to the minister, read, “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.”

Meanwhile, some interest groups, the Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations and Elite Africa, have defended the allegations against the embattled minister, while alleging media trial and accusing his opponents of being unhappy with his ‘growing popularity’.

In a statement on Monday, CCRO said, “The Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations unequivocally wishes to debunk the purported invitation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged corruption.

“This latest report by a section of the media is another in the series of the campaign of calumny which has recently been orchestrated by sponsored propagandists who are mainly out to discredit the radical transformation, being undertaken by Tunji-Ojo, and by extension, to undermine the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.

“There is no doubt that the timing and nature of these allegations appear suspicious and politically motivated, aiming to tarnish the reputation of a public servant known for his commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We have thoroughly examined the circumstances surrounding the purported invitation by the CCB and find them to lack credible evidence, resembling a smear campaign rather than a genuine pursuit of justice. We want to strongly believe, that if perhaps, there is a need for any conversation or interrogation to be conducted by the CBB, how did such become a media affair, if it is not a smear campaign, like we suspected?”

The second group, Elite Africa, in a statement, attacked the South West Integrity Group for demanding the suspension of Tunji-Ojo over alleged corruption.

The statement read in part, “The South West Integrity Group, in a publication, had stated that Tunji-Ojo should resign over his alleged involvement in the recent controversy in the award of contracts at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

“The timing of these allegations, coupled with the sweeping reforms he has instituted, raises eyebrows. It seems certain elements within the political landscape are uneasy with Tunji-Ojo’s unyielding stance against corruption.

“His track record of dismantling established systems of exploitation has made him a thorn in the side of those who thrived on malfeasance.”

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”