Shehu Sani, a former Senator representing Kaduna South, has said that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has not violated any law by being a shareholder in a company that got a contract from the ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation.
Tunji-Ojo has been alleged to be involved in the recent controversy in the award of contracts at the ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation.
A leaked document showed that New Planet Project Limited, a company founded by Tunji-Ojo, got a N438 million consultancy contract from the ministry.
Denying any wrongdoing, the minister said he resigned from the company in February 2019 when he was elected as a lawmaker in the house of representatives.
The minister said he is no longer one of the directors of the company but admitted that he is still a shareholder.
On Monday, Betta Edu was suspended as the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation over the controversy.
However, in a message posted on his Facebook page, Sani said the minister has the right to hold shares in the company.
Sani said there is no law that barred public officials from holding shares.
“Going by the facts presented by Hon Ojo, he had since 2019 resigned from the company mentioned as beneficiary. It could have been a conflict of interest if he had not resigned,” the former lawmaker wrote.
“There is no law that says public officials must sell their shares when they assume public office. Moreover, it’s not his ministry and companies have the right to pursue businesses anywhere.
“Edu’s case is very clear and can’t be equated with that of Hon Ojo. Legally, he can’t be held to account on this matter. Let’s not be distracted.”
According to section 030424(a) of the civil service rules, “public officers are not prohibited from holding shares in both public and private companies operating in Nigeria or abroad except that they must not be directors in private companies and may only be directors in public companies if nominated by government.”
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