The Presidency has responded to the demands of Nigerians and opposition parties to suspend Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior.
New Planet Projects, a company co-founded by the minister, allegedly received a contract worth N438 million from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
A leaked document revealed that the company received the funds as payment for “consultancy fees” from the ministry, which has been involved in various scandals.
However, the interior minister has denied any wrongdoing and stated that he ceased to be a director of the company in 2019.
In light of these allegations, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have called for the immediate suspension of the minister.
The party described the allegations as “serious and significant” and criticised Tunji-Ojo’s claim that he has no interest in the company despite admitting to owning a large number of shares.
In response to the criticism, Bayo Onanuga, a presidential aide, urged Nigerians to be patient with the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Onanuga also appealed to the public to avoid conducting media trials and attacking the individuals and issues under investigation.
He emphasised that no one can be labelled as innocent or guilty until the EFCC completes its investigation and confirms the minister’s guilt.
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.”
