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CCB, FG Petitioned To Address Ojo’s Certificate Scandal

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A coalition of civil society organisations has petitioned the presidency and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to probe the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over controversy surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, allegedly issued in 2023.

The petitioners — Accountability Front for Justice and Good Governance, National Youth Reform Coalition, and Civil Action Network for Transparency, submitted the joint petition on Tuesday, while further demanding that the presidency to mandate Mr Tunji-Ojo to step aside to allow for a full-scale investigation into his NYSC certificate issuance.

The coalition described the case as “a constitutional and ethical matter that strikes at the very heart of integrity, justice, and public accountability,” insisting that no government official should be shielded from scrutiny.

According to the petition, Mr Tunji-Ojo was first mobilised for the NYSC scheme in 2006 at the age of 24 but allegedly absconded from service.

The petitioners claimed that the NYSC officially confirmed that the minister did not complete his one-year mandatory service at a stretch.

Thirteen years later, in 2019, Mr Tunji-Ojo was said to have been re-mobilised to complete his service year.

However, during that same period, the petitioners noted that he was serving as a member of the House of Representatives, representing Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency of Ondo State — a dual role that, according to the coalition, violated constitutional provisions prohibiting public officers from holding two remunerated positions simultaneously.

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Despite reportedly completing the service in 2020, the coalition stated that no discharge certificate was issued at the time.

The groups alleged that a new certificate mysteriously surfaced in 2023, signed by an NYSC director-general who the coalition claimed was not in office during the purported service year.

The NYSC’s explanation that Tunji-Ojo’s name was “omitted during printing” was dismissed by the petitioners as “suspicious, irregular, and inconsistent with established NYSC administrative procedures.”

The coalition cited several laws that could have been breached, including: Sections 2 and 13 of the NYSC Act, which criminalise absconding from service or using forged NYSC certificates; Paragraph 2, Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits public officers from receiving salaries from more than one public office; and Sections 19 and 25 of the ICPC Act, which prescribe up to seven years’ imprisonment for any public officer who receives double remuneration or acts corruptly.

They further argued that if Mr Tunji-Ojo indeed participated in the NYSC programme while serving as a federal lawmaker, it would constitute “an abuse of office, conflict of interest, and violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.”

The petitioners also accused the Tinubu administration of selective justice, referencing the resignation of a minister from the South-East over certificate scandal.

“Just as a minister from the eastern part of Nigeria was asked to resign pending investigation over certificate irregularities, the same standard of accountability must apply to Minister Bunmi Tunji-Ojo,” the coalition wrote. “Justice must not wear ethnic or political colours.”

The coalition outlined four major demands: That Mr Tunji-Ojo steps down immediately to allow for an independent investigation; that the presidency directs the NYSC, ICPC, and the CCB to investigate the authenticity of the 2023 certificate; that the National Assembly opens an inquiry into possible double remuneration between 2019 and 2020; that the issue be treated as a matter of national integrity and not political affiliation.

The coalition urged President Tinubu to act “decisively for history, for justice, and for Nigeria.”

“This is not merely about Bunmi Tunji-Ojo  it is about whether the rule of law still governs our democracy,” the petition stated, adding that “If selective justice is allowed to stand, it will erode public confidence in government institutions and deepen cynicism.”

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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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