A Coalition, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN), Thursday, made a case for the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, saying his involvement in the alleged contract scam was doubtful.
Recall that Tunji-Ojo had faced scrutiny following the controversy surrounding the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu over infractions.
A document revealed that, New Planet Project Limited, a company founded by Tunji-Ojo, allegedly secured an N438 million consultancy contract from the ministry.
Tunji-Ojo, however, denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he resigned his directorship in the company in February 2019 when elected as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.
But the coalition in a communique issued at the end of a media briefing in Abuja and signed by the Executive Director, NCSCN, Comrade Blessing Akinlosotu, expressed doubt that Tunji-Ojo could be involved in fraud.
“Today it is evident that the Ministers can deliver on their mandates. The Minister of Interior has proven that there is hope in the present government.
“Regarding the case of the Minister of Interior and the affected company, there is clear evidence that the minister and his wife have resigned from the Board of Directors of the company and hereby seized control of the company.
“It will be erroneous and out of place to expect a company established to render service and create job opportunities to be shut down just because a former director has decided to serve in the status of a public servant, we frown at this mob judgment and call on Nigerians to restrain,’’ the coalition cautioned.
The NCSCN also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s will to tackle insecurity, saying “the Council is confident that efforts of the President towards improving Security and Economic welfare of Nigerians are gradually yielding positive results.”
The group also commended Tinubu for the massive reduction in the size of the federal government’s entourage.
