Allegations Surface: Minister Tunji-Ojo’s Company Gains N438 Million ‘Consultancy Fees’ from Suspended Betta Edu

It has been revealed that a company owned by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, received a substantial sum of N438.1 million in ‘consultancy fees’ from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, led by the suspended counterpart, Betta Edu.

New Planet Project Limited, owned by Tunji-Ojo, was among several consultants awarded contracts from the N3 billion fund designated by the suspended minister for the National Social Register project, created for cash transfers and social investment programs.

Documents posted by media platform Pointblank News, indicate that New Planet Project Limited received an initial payment of N279 million for list verification and an additional N159 million for the same purpose.

An independent investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that the firm lists the Interior Minister and his wife, Abimbola, as directors. The secretary, Gbadamasi Gbadamasi Clement, is also identified in the company registration dated March 3, 2009, with registration number 804833.

This revelation, however, appears to contravene the Nigerian Constitution and Code of Conduct law, specifically sections 5 and 6, which prohibit public officers from engaging in conflicts of interest and participating in businesses other than farming.

Other beneficiaries of the N3 billion contract include Fabunmi Olanipekun & Co., Vintsolve Global Consult, Periscope Consulting, Blue Trend Enterprise, Laitop Dynamics Interlink Services, Memak Nigeria Limited, MC Van Management Consult Limited, and Danzinger Nigeria Limited.

A Twitter post by Jackson Ude, editor of Pointblank News, raised questions about the legitimacy of some companies, noting that Blue Trend Enterprise has no known registration record or owner.

Sources suggest that the Interior Minister may have secured the contract through his former aide and coordinator of the National Programme Manager, Thalis Apalowo. Apalowo, a legislative aide to Tunji-Ojo in the past, reportedly played a key role in lobbying for the minister’s appointment.

This latest revelation adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, following reports of public funds being directed to private accounts and questionable expenditures.

President Tinubu has taken swift action, suspending Betta Edu and ordering a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fraudulent activities within the ministry.