Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi West Senatorial
District in the Senate, has reacted to reports of his surprise
visit to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Melaye in a statement entitled: “Stand Up For What You
Believe In,” and issued on Friday, July 31 in Abuja, defended
his recent visit to the headquarters of the EFCC, The Nation
reports.
It would be recalled that Melaye was sighted at the
EFCC office during the interrogation of wife of the Senate
President, Toyin Saraki, who was recently quizzed by
the anti-graft agency.
Senator Dino Melaye with Toyin Saraki in a recent visit at
the EFCC office
Speaking on why he escorted Toyin Saraki to the EFCC
office, Melaye said: “I was arrested 14 times in one year by
the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan
because I desire a country where my grandchildren (that I
may never know) will dwell in and where life is already
structured for them. I cannot throw away the sacrifice –
when I was beaten and my clothes torn to shred on the
floor of the House of Representatives because of my fight
against corruption.
“I have come too far to compromise my stand on corruption
and corrupt persons. I make bold here to challenge anybody
who will controvert the truth that I have never done any
government contract, either at the local government, state
or federal levels. It is not criminal to do so, but he who
must come to equity must come with clean hands. I have
made sacrifices to the extent of escaping assignations. Will
my fellow citizens forget all these too quickly on the altar of
loyalty to friends, family and loved ones?
“My loyalty to friends is not only when the going is good. I
will be there even when the roads are rough. The invitation
of Toyin Saraki by the EFCC, however, is not a criminal
indictment. I will not abandon my friend because of mere
EFCC invitation. I also went there as a private investigator
and an anti-corruption crusader to find out the extent of
culpability of my sister and friend since she was not told
the content of the petition against her before her
appearance before the EFCC.
“My definition for friendship is he or she who walks in when
others are working out. If my father is invited by the EFCC, I
will go there, if a prima face case is established against
him, I will shout for his prosecution. So my great people, I
have no regret following my friend and sister to the EFCC. If
you are my friend, you are my friend. I cannot control what
my friends will do, but they remain my friends. I am not
fighting corruption out of passion only, but because it is the
Godly thing to do.”
You’d recall that the PDP says it sent the petition that
landed Toyin Saraki in trouble with the EFCC, while Bola
Tinubu and the APC have nothing to do with that.