The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate suspension, investigation and possible prosecution of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The opposition party is seeking his suspension over his “reported involvement in the alleged siphoning of N438 million poverty alleviation fund under the watch of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu”.
Tinubu on Monday suspended Edu and directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged corrupt activities carried out under her watch.
A statement signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the party on Tuesday, said it was inexcusable that the two ministers directly entrusted with the well-being of Nigerians “reportedly used a company in which the Minister of Interior has a huge interest to allegedly siphon funds meant for poor Nigerians under the guise of consultancy fee for unsubstantiated verification of households in the country”.
He said, “The PDP demands that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu take immediate action to protect the resources meant for the well-being of poor Nigerians from further plundering by suspending the Interior Minister over the alleged fraud and hand him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation like his suspended counterpart.
“Nigerians are appalled by the lame excuse by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in claiming that he has no interest in the company despite his confession of owning huge shares in the firm; a channel through which he allegedly benefitted immensely from the said fraudulent consultancy fee payment.
“Such apparent money laundering stunt is again consistent with the crafty character and proclivity of the APC for plundering of public resources. This is especially given allegations in the public space that bulk of the money was diverted to private accounts of cronies of prominent APC leaders in the National Assembly and the Presidency.
