News
BETTAGATE: NEFGAD Threatens Legal Action Against Tunji-Ojo, Insists on His Apology and Resignation
BETTAGATE: NEFGAD Threatens Legal Action Against Tunji-Ojo, Insists on His Apology and Resignation
By: Michael Mike
Network for Growth and actualization of Viable Development (NEFGAD), a public procurement advocacy group has threatened to take legal action against the embattled Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s over his involvement in the controversial N3 billion contract awarded by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, insisting that his defense his faulty and unsatisfactory.
The Minister had denied personally benefitting through his company, New Planet Project Limited from the sum of 438.1 million from the alleged controversial N3 billion social register contracts by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
NEFGAD in a statement signed by its acting Head of Legal, Dolapo Obafunmi and released to the media at the weekend in Abuja stated that Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who is a shareholder in the New Planet Project Limited contravened section 16 subsection 6(f) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 by failing to accompany documents used in bidding for the contract with an affidavit disclosing whether or not Dr. Betta Edu who is a member of the procuring entity has any pecuniary interest in New Planet Project Limited – the company where Mr. Tunji-Ojo, a cabinet colleague, is a shareholder.
Obafunmi also said that Mr. Tunji-Ojo’s company bid ought to have been disqualified for violating section 16 subsection 8(g) of the same PPA by failing to submit a statement regarding its dominating or subsidiary relationships with respect to Dr. Beta Edu who is acting on behalf of the procuring entity participating in same proceeding.
Obafunmi noted that New planet Project Limited, with registration number 804833 was reportedly registered on March 3, 2009, although the Minister said he has resigned as director of the company since 2019 but he is still a shareholder in the company.
Obafunmi said that the public procurement Act in its bid to promote competition forbids a bidder and or any member of procuring entity from conferring undue advantage to themselves during any procurement proceeding by virtue of their relationships.
He averred that one of the core objectives and spirit of the public procurement Law is to ensure that nation’s wealth is fairly distributed, maintaining that it is a sheer act of undue interference, greed and avarice to have a serving cabinet member interfering in affairs of sister Ministry to an extent of influencing its procurement decision in his favour.
He further maintained that beyond participating in the day to day running of a company, being a shareholder means Mr Tunji-Ojo is a person of control and benefit in the company and by virtue of his shareholding status, he ought to have simply complied with the relevant sections of the public procurement law by declaring his interest in the company simply via a court affidavit.
Obafunmi said ‘’with these blatant breaches, it shows clearly that fundamental principles of public procurement were not followed in the award of the contract, everything about the contract is defective, making it impossible to achieve fitness of purpose or value for money.
He said: “Mr. Tunji Ojo should also know that his cabinet membership is ordinarily influential enough to sway cabinet colleague’s procurement decision in his favour hence calling the Minister to honorably apologise to Nigerians and resign immediately or face legal action.
BETTAGATE: NEFGAD Threatens Legal Action Against Tunji-Ojo, Insists on His Apology and Resignation
News
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
By: Zagazola Makama
Less than 24 hours after three Fulani youths were reportedly killed in an attack in Plateau state, another youth has allegedly been killed and one abducted in targeted attack in Riyom LGA by Birom Militia.
Security and local informants told Zagazola Makama that the latest incident occurred on Feb. 21 in Jol community, where suspected Birom militia members attacked herders, killing one Muhammed Sani, while another victim, identified as Faruq Jamilu, was abducted. An unspecified number of cattle were also reportedly killed or injured during the assault.
The development came barely a day after three youths Tahiru Muhammad, Jibrin Salisu and Abdulmumin Isyak were said to have been ambushed and killed on Feb. 19 while returning from Dorowan Babuje in Barkin Ladi area.
Zagazola report that the earlier attack occurred at about 7:00 p.m. near Jong Fulani community. Sources alleged that the victims were intercepted by armed Birom Militia assailants, and security personnel later recovered spent cartridges and a motorcycle and a bottle of alcohol otherwise known as Goskolo at the scene.
Community representatives alleged that the succession of incidents reflected sustained pattern of attacks targeting pastoral settlements and livestock in parts of the state in recent months.
Zagazola report that repeated cases of attacks and killing, cattle poisoning, rustling and arson had heightened tensions and triggered fears of reprisals across the affected areas while the state government and concerned authorities have done little or nothing to fish out the perpetrators.
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
Former CP David Danjuma Auta dies at Air Force Military Hospital, Jos
By: Zagazola Makama
A retired Commissioner of Police, CP David Danjuma Auta (Rtd), JP, KSM, KSS, has died.
He passed away on Feb. 19, 2026, at the Air Force Military Hospital, Jos, after a brief illness.
Born on June 11, 1941, CP Auta enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on Feb. 26, 1962, and served in several capacities, culminating as Commissioner of Police in Ogun State before retiring on Feb. 26, 1997.
He hailed from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
He is survived by his wife and seven children. The corpse has been deposited at the hospital morgue, and burial arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Former CP David Danjuma Auta dies at Air Force Military Hospital, Jos
Five killed, house burnt in cross-border communal attack in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
Five persons have been killed and a house razed following a late-night attack on Azoke village in Ado Local Government Area of Benue.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 19 when suspected assailants from Akparata community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi allegedly invaded the village.
The victims were identified as Nwefuru Elu, Nwefuru Agnes, Nwali Nworie Christianana, Obasi Nwode and Nwozo Nwode.
It was gathered that the attackers also set ablaze a house belonging to one Elumu Nwokwo during the assault, heightening tension in the area.
Security personnel who responded to a distress alert visited the scene and documented evidence as part of preliminary investigation.
Authorities said efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible, while further investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Residents were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as measures were being intensified to prevent escalation of violence in the area.
Five killed, house burnt in cross-border communal attack in Benue
APC conducts congress in 17 local councils in Yobe
Less than 24 hours after triple killing, another Fulani youth slain in fresh Plateau attack by Berom Militia
Police arrest officer previously at large over missing firearms in Riyom Division in Plateau
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
