….alleges plot to make Betta Edu a scapegoat
A group under the aegis of Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is suspended and handed over to appropriate authorities for investigation prosecution over corruption allegations.
The group in a statement issued in Abuja and jointly signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Danesi Momoh and Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, the Director of Research and Programmes stated that the revelations coming from the corruption scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation which mentioned Hon. Tunji-Ojo’s company, New Planet Project Limited, is totally mind boggling.
The statement regretted that many many observers who are conversant with ministry are not shocked by the revelations as the ministry is noted to be a nest of corruption and sanctuary for mindless looters while the masses of the people die of hunger and minor sicknesses.
“We sincerely commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for swiftly rising to the occasion by suspending the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Chimaobi Edu and ordering an investigation into the matter. This is a clear departure from the earlier practice of covering corruption by past administrations. This is one great light for the Renewed Hope Agenda and many Nigerians appreciate it.
“However, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo is more than a mere passing accomplice. The involvement of a Company he founded, remains the highest shareholder, and his wife, a Director is indicative of a direct involvement in the organized fleecing of the Ministry under reference”.
The group further said, Hon. Tunji-Ojo’s explanations and lame defence of not being involved in the running of the company, New Planet Project Limited, has no logic and does not change the fact of the offense of conflict of interest by a Public Official, contrary to the provisions of Public Service Rules and Code of Conduct Act hence he is in the opinion of nonpartisan public, in breach these Rule and Act.
Part of the address reads:
“The fact that he remains the highest shareholder of the company; the evidence that his wife is a Director of the company; the suggestion by the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission that he is still a Director of the company; the incontrovertability of a very close and sometimes, more than official relationship between him and Dr. Edu; the tendency that there may be companies linked to Dr. Edu that are into business in the Ministry of Interior, all prove that no justice can be said to be done in this matter except if equal treatment is meted on Dr. Edu and Hon. Tunji-Ojo.
“Consequently, Hon. Tunji-Ojo should immediately be suspended (at most before the close of work on Friday, January 12, 2024) and his activities, scrutinized. We urge Mr. President, to complete this good work by placing the Minister of Interior on Suspension while investigation continues.
“By Monday, we shall mobilized the unemployed youths who are the worst hit by these financial malfeasance to occupy the Ministry of Interior till he resigns or is sacked. Nobody will sweep this matter under the carpet. It is either Mr. President does it correctly or every other effort will be considered useless. This should not be.
“We are aware that the whole plan is to make Dr. Betta Edu the scape goat or fall guy of this mess. That will be resisted because even if Dr. Edu accepts that, it will amount to an injustice to the State and society. Our duty will be to call attention to this through protests till Mr. President sees the need to serve justice fully”.
In a quest for a comprehensive justice and cleansing of the polluted sociopolitical space, the group also call on Mr. President not to spare the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan.
According to them, as the Chief Accounting Officer of the Ministry, what did he do? Was this money moved without his knowledge? What professional advice did he give? How was it possible to carry out these transactions without his knowledge? Is he a conspirator, a lukewarm witness to a crime, and unaware bystander or an incompetent Permanent Secretary?
“We must expand this investigation. This is a total mess and no culprit must go unpunished or benefit from their own crimes.
“The public would also wish to know exactly the role of the suspended Coordinator of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Mrs. Halima Saleh in this matter. Was she part of this crime or was she really trying to prevent the Minister from looting everything? All we want is justice for all involved (the accused, the State and the Society). And that, we shall pursue to the end”, part of the address read.
