How Tunji-Ojo Became Interior Minister From ‘Off Your Mic’ NDDC Chair
Following his alleged link in the N438 million scandal in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Minister for Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has fallen under the watch of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and public scrutiny.
However, Tunji-Ojo has refuted claims suggesting his involvement as a signatory in the company implicated in the N438 million contract allegations linked to the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.
A leaked memo circulating online indicated that a company, allegedly owned by Tunji-Ojo, received N438 million designated as ‘consultancy fees’ from Edu.
The embattled Minister, while reacting to the allegation in an interview on Channels TV on Monday, said, “I am not a signatory to the company.
“And actually, I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a director. About five years ago, I had resigned from my directorship.”
He was appointed as the new Minister of Interior by President Bola Tinubu in 2023 along with about 41 other ministers.
Until his appointment, Tunji-Ojo represented Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House.
However, little did Nigerians know that Tunji-Ojo was the infamous former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Niger Delta Development Commission that clashed with the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds in the commission.
During the televised probe, Akpabio had accused Tunji-Ojo and other members of the National Assembly of benefiting from contracts awarded by the NDDC, a claim that Tunji-Ojo denied and challenged Akpabio to provide evidence.
The probe also witnessed a dramatic scene when Akpabio was asked to “off his mic” by Tunji-Ojo after he refused to answer questions from the committee.
Tunji-Ojo later stepped down as the chairman of the committee, after much hues and cries from the public, perceived by many as ‘face saving.’
On Tuesday, the minister was summoned by the president, a move perceived by many to be an internal probe to ensure his claims of innocence are true.
As the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo oversees the affairs of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, and the Federal Fire Service.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
