Lawyers: It was noble of senate to ignore ‘blackmail’ against Tunji-Ojo

The Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), a group of human rights lawyers, says it was noble of the senate to ignore the alleged blackmail of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, a minister-designate.

Tunji-Ojo was one of 45 out of the 48 ministerial nominees confirmed by the senate on Monday night.

The current house of representatives member was said to have presented a controversial National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) certificate.

However, the upper legislative chamber cleared him.

In a statement on Monday, Edward Omaga and Denning Akori, president and a director of the group, said Tunji-Ojo was witch-hunted because some people were against his nomination as minister.

“One of the noblest things this 10th assembly has done is not to condone mischiefs and blackmails,” they said.

“Rep. Tunji-Ojo, though we have not met him or had personal contact with him before now, we understand has been a member of the 9th house of representatives and served as chairman, house committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“He contested again in 2023 and won convincingly. In each of the elections, he submitted his details to INEC. Where were these elements then? Why didn’t they raise issues?

“We have taken the pains of doing some background checks and our findings are pointing towards the direction that the young man is being unjustly witch-hunted, for the simple reason that some people do not sanction his nomination.

“How long shall we continue to sacrifice competence and versatility on the altar of politics and sentiments?”