Code of Conduct Bureau receives petition to investigate Interior Minister, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, over NYSC engagement

By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTER’S

The Group emphasisedthat whether or not Tunji-Ojo received the NYSC monthly allowance is irrelevant, as the core issue lies in the breach of the Code of Conduct and NYSC regulations, which strictly prohibit any corps member from holding another public office or employment during service.

Updates reaching us at The DEFENDER Newspaper says another Nigeria’s Minister of Interior under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is under public scrutiny following a formal petition submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

This petition was submitted by a pressure group named the Integrity Watch Nigeria, alleging that he violated the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by serving concurrently as a Member of the House of Representatives and a corps member under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2019.

This global online newspaper recalls a recent complaint by a Concerned Nigerians in the Diaspora (UK) led by Abanikanda Olumoro, who said Tunji-Ojo should, like the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Uche Nnaji, be made to clear himself of all issues bothering on corruption especially in Nigeria Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National Youth Service Corps certificate controversy and much rumoured recruitments of fresh officers and men into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) before venturing into taking part in the 2027 or 2029 elections into Senate and Alagbaka.

It said this became necessary because 2027 is and should be seen as year of decision for Nigerians to get it right for their country and so that anyone with corruption related allegations should not come near the exercise.

The latest development is the Integrity Watch Nigeria’s petition, dated 12th October 2025 and addressed to Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, officially received on 17th October 2025, through which the Group calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into what it describes as a serious act of dual full-time engagement in public service, contrary to the Constitution and NYSC regulations.

The petition, signed by Hon. Aminu Yaya Jamiyu (State Chairman), Comr. Kayode Idowu (State Publicity Secretary), and Comr. Ogundowolemi Olamide (State Secretary) of Integrity Watch Nigeria, Ondo State, invokes the powers of the Bureau under Paragraph 3, Part I, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the CCB to investigate acts of non-compliance with the Code of Conduct by public officers.

According to the petition, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who represented Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 2019 and 2023, was:

“1. Elected and inaugurated as a lawmaker in 2019 after winning the general election.

“2. Remobilized for national service under the NYSC scheme in the same year (2019), with his NYSC certificate bearing the year 2020 and officially issued in 2023.

“3. Simultaneously serving as a legislator and corps member during 2019–2020, a situation the group describes as a clear breach of the law, since both roles require full time service.”

The Group emphasisedthat whether or not Tunji-Ojo received the NYSC monthly allowance is irrelevant, as the core issue lies in the breach of the Code of Conduct and NYSC regulations, which strictly prohibit any corps member from holding another public office or employment during service.

The petitioners referenced multiple legal authorities, including:

“1. Paragraph 2(b) & (c) of Part I, Fifth Schedule, 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that:

“A public officer shall not engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade except farming,” and

“A public officer shall not receive remuneration from more than one public office.”

“2. The National Youth Service Corps Act (Cap N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004), which mandates full time national service and prohibits corps members from holding political or other employment during their service year.”

The Integrity Watch Nigeria noted that Hon. Tunji-Ojo’s dual engagement constitutes a conflict of interest and a violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The petitioners urged the CCB to take the following actions:

“1. Investigate the circumstances surrounding Hon. Tunji-Ojo’s dual service between 2019 and 2020.

“2. Obtain confirmation from the NYSC Headquarters on his remobilization and service records.

“3. Verify official dates from the National Assembly Service Commission and INEC regarding his election and swearing-in as a legislator.

“4. Refer the matter to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for prosecution if found culpable, in line with Paragraph 18 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.”

It asserted that the petition was submitted in good faith and in the interest of justice, integrity, and the rule of law.

The organisation called on the CCB to ensure that no public officer is seen to be above the law, emphasizing that the petition aligns with the Bureau’s constitutional duty to uphold transparency and accountability in governance.

It also attached the following documents as supporting evidence:

“1. Copy or screenshot of NYSC confirmation/remobilization letter or public statement.

“2. Copy of NYSC certificate showing the 2019–2023 timeline.

“3. INEC publication showing the 2019 election result and swearing-in date.

“4. Relevant news reports and public records for verification.”

While the Code of Conduct Bureau has not yet issued an official statement, sources within the agency confirmed receipt of the petition and hinted that preliminary verification may commence soon.

Political observers note that this development could trigger a major legal test for the Interior Minister, who has faced previous scrutiny over his NYSC status.

As of press time, Hon. Tunji-Ojo has not publicly responded to the petition.