News
JUST IN: Tunji-Ojo shuns CCB invite

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has shunned an invitation by the Code of Conduct Bureau over an ongoing investigation bordering on alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers.
It was observed on Tuesday, that the minister, who was scheduled to meet with interrogators at 11am, did not show up at the bureau between 10am and 1pm.
Confirming the development, spokesperson for the CCB, Veronica Kato, said the minister’s interrogation would be rescheduled for a later date following his memo to the bureau citing national assignment.
“Yes, the minister’s interrogation has been rescheduled. He wrote, asking that it be rescheduled because he has a national assignment, so it has been rescheduled for a later date,” Kato said.
When asked about the next scheduled date, she said there was no specific date yet.
“We don’t have a precise date now, but it has been rescheduled to another day,” she said.
The CCB had invited the embattled minister over the involvement of his company in a ₦438 million contract with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
The company, New Planet Projects, allegedly belonging to the minister, benefitted from a contract from the ministry.
A document exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Monday revealed that the CCB invited the minister to appear before it on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the CCB headquarters, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
The document signed by Gwimi S.P, the CCB Director, Investigation and Monitoring, on behalf of the CCB Chairman, Murtala Aliyu, revealed that the bureau’s invitation is hinged on its mandate and powers as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part 1, 3 (e) of the 1999 Constitution.
The letter addressed to the minister, read, “The bureau is investigating a case of alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in which your name featured prominently. Consequently, you are invited for an interview scheduled as follows:
“Date: Tuesday, 16th January, 2024. Time: 1100hrs prompt. Venue: CCB Headquarters on 5th Floor, Annex III, Phase I, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja.
“This invitation is pursuant to the mandate and powers of the Bureau as enshrined in the Third Schedule, Part I, Paragraph 3 (e) to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Please be properly guided.”
Interest groups defend Tunji-Ojo, allege media trial
Meanwhile, some interest groups, the Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations and Elite Africa, have defended the allegations against the embattled minister, while alleging media trial and accusing his opponents of being unhappy with his ‘growing popularity’.
In a statement on Monday, CCRO said, “The Coalition of Civil Rights Organisations unequivocally wishes to debunk the purported invitation of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, by the Code of Conduct Bureau over alleged corruption.
“This latest report by a section of the media is another in the series of the campaign of calumny which has recently been orchestrated by sponsored propagandists who are mainly out to discredit the radical transformation, being undertaken by Tunji-Ojo, and by extension, to undermine the achievements of President Bola Tinubu.
“There is no doubt that the timing and nature of these allegations appear suspicious and politically motivated, aiming to tarnish the reputation of a public servant known for his commitment to transparency and accountability.
“We have thoroughly examined the circumstances surrounding the purported invitation by the CCB and find them to lack credible evidence, resembling a smear campaign rather than a genuine pursuit of justice. We want to strongly believe, that if perhaps, there is a need for any conversation or interrogation to be conducted by the CBB, how did such become a media affair, if it is not a smear campaign, like we suspected?”
The second group, Elite Africa, in a statement, attacked the South West Integrity Group for demanding the suspension of Tunji-Ojo over alleged corruption.
The statement read in part, “The South West Integrity Group, in a publication, had stated that Tunji-Ojo should resign over his alleged involvement in the recent controversy in the award of contracts at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
“The timing of these allegations, coupled with the sweeping reforms he has instituted, raises eyebrows. It seems certain elements within the political landscape are uneasy with Tunji-Ojo’s unyielding stance against corruption.
“His track record of dismantling established systems of exploitation has made him a thorn in the side of those who thrived on malfeasance.”
News
CIoD appoint new DG Nolas-Alausa

The Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD Nigeria) has announced the appointment and resumption of Dr. Taiwo Nolas-Alausa as its new Director General/Chief Executive Officer.Dr. Nolas-Alausa succeeds Mr. Bamidele Alimi, who completed his second and final four-year term as the DG/CEO of the Institute on 31 July,2025.
He is aLearning and Development Consultant with over 22 years of leadership experience across Africa.
Dr. Nolas-Alausa brings to CIoD Nigeria a dynamic blend of strategic insight, communication expertise, and a deep commitment to institutional growth and capacity building.
The President and Chairman of the Governing Council, CIoD Nigeria, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, said: “On behalf of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, I am pleased to officially welcome Dr. Taiwo Nolas-Alausa as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute.
News
LASG declares 176 estates illegal for lacking approved layouts
Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, disclosed that some of the identified illegal estates include Adron Homes, Elerangbe; Aina Gold Estate, Okun-Folu; Diamond Estate, Eputu; Prime Water View Garden, Ikate-Elegushi, and Royal View Estate, Ikota, among others.

Lagos State Government has declared 176 estates at the Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe axis of the state illegal.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, disclosed that some of the identified illegal estates include Adron Homes, Elerangbe; Aina Gold Estate, Okun-Folu; Diamond Estate, Eputu; Prime Water View Garden, Ikate-Elegushi, and Royal View Estate, Ikota, among others.
He added that the illegal estates compromised the sustainable development ethos and the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda of the government by operating without approved layouts.
Consequently, the government has given the owners a 21-day ultimatum to process their layout approvals.
The estates, which were deemed illegal due to the failure of the owners to obtain layout approvals from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, were listed in a document published by the ministry, yesterday.
News
VISA: US demanding $15,000 down payment for some visitors
The funds will be returned if the applicant complies with all visa terms. If the applicant remains in the United States past the deadline, the funds will be forfeited.

The US State Department says that some visa applicants will soon be required to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to discourage visa overstays as part of President Donald Trump‘s crackdown on migration.
Starting later this month, the pilot program will require applicants from certain countries to pay a sum of “no less than $5,000” as collateral for the issuance of their visa.
The funds will be returned if the applicant complies with all visa terms. If the applicant remains in the United States past the deadline, the funds will be forfeited.
“Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance,” the agency said in a notice to be published Tuesday in the US Federal Register.
The 12-month program would only affect foreign nationals from countries considered to have “high visa overstay rates” based on a 2023 Department of Homeland Security report, the notice said.
-
News3 days ago
NLC rejects FG’s new policy stopping frequent industrial strikes
-
News3 days ago
NGE Condemns Arbitrary Closure of Badeggi Radio Station by Gov Bago for allegedly promoting violence
-
Health3 days ago
Nurses Back to Work After Four-Day Nationwide Strike
-
Sports3 days ago
I hawked Olive oil, Zobo at church before fame — Super Falcons’ Ajibade
-
News3 days ago
Olumuyiwa Adejobi Becomes Deputy Commissioner of Police
-
Sports18 hours ago
Afrobasket win: President Tinubu Delights D’Tigress with $100,000 each ,Technical Crew $50,000 each
-
News18 hours ago
WASSCE 2025: Students performance in English, Maths decline by 38.32%
-
News5 hours ago
Halima Layeni Launches New Book, Dear Man, Championing Men’s Mental Health and Emotional Healing