… No regret following my friend, sister to EFCC – Dino Melaye
The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has expressed shock and disgust over the entourage that accompanied Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the senate president, to her appointment with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), especially because the group comprised mainly of the nation’s ‘honourable’ law-makers from both the higher and lower chambers.
The coalition described the incidence as a show of shame.
According to a statement signed by Temitope Macjob, the acting Media Officer of (CACOL), “Well-meaning Nigerians were taken aback as they watch on their TV set the large entourage of Mrs. Toyin Saraki, wife of the senate president, which comprised mainly of the nation’s ‘honourable’ law-makers from both the higher and lower chambers.”
“These national law-makers and supposed representatives of the Nigerian people, reportedly accompanied Mrs. Saraki, who had been invited by the anti-corruption agency to come and answer to an allegation of corrupt practice, in a show of solidarity with the accused.
“The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, CACOL is particularly disturbed and miffed at what it terms not only a show of shame and gross irresponsibility but a clear anti-thesis of what their primary constitutional duty is.”
MacJob added that “One cannot but wonder how far President Buhari would be able to go in his avowed war against corruption in this country, if the very law-makers who are expected to give him the needed support through the provision of enabling legal frame-work with which to successfully prosecute the war, are openly, though tacitly, fraternizing with corruption by turning themselves into bodyguards of a suspected corruption criminal”.
She referred to press reports putting the number of lawmakers on the entourage at twenty-five legislators.
These lawmakers abandoned their statutory duties to follow Mrs. Saraki to the office of the EFCC and most of them waited for over the six hours that the exercise lasted, she said.
She said: “They are doing the jobs Nigerians didn’t elect them to do.
“Although they have the right to presume that she is not guilty until convicted but do not have the right to portray her innocent of the allegations made against her, even before being interrogated.
“The lawmakers’ conduct presupposed that they are determined to intimidate the EFCC in its task of tackling corruption. It’s sad that they choose to abandon their statutory role of law-making while playing the meddlesome interloper, thereby diminishing the exalted chambers they represent.
“Their case could be likened the incident to that witnessed during Obasanjo’s days, when Bode George was being accompanied by shameless praise-singers who had to roll out drums, clad in ‘Aso Ebi’ and danced in and around the court premises in solidarity with the accused each time he appeared in court to answer to corruption charges.
“CACOL observes that, this singular act by these legislators, is a clear indication that certain members of this very important arm of government, if not called to order, are out to make the job of eradicating corruption or at least, stemming it to the barest minimum, by Buhari’s administration, more complex and difficult than ever envisaged.
“The Coalition of anti-corruption organisations therefore calls on Nigerians to get ready and be set to confront anybody, group or institution, that is out to frustrate President Buhari’s efforts at wrestling to submission this gargantuan, seemingly untamable monster, called corruption and save Nigeria from its destructive tendencies. We should share President Buhari’s assertion that “if we fail to kill corruption, corruption will kill us”. It must be seen as a collective responsibility; Buhari can’t do it alone.
“We are asking Nigerians not to spare corrupt characters, whoever they may be, but adopt CACOL’s slogan to “name, nail, shame and shun corrupt leaders, anywhere, everywhere”.
I went as a private investigator – Melaye
Responding to criticism for being in the entourage, Kogi West Senator in the National Assembly, Otunba Dino Melaye said his visit to the EFCC was as a private investigator and an anti-corruption crusader.
The chairman, Senate Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity also challenged anybody who will controvert the truth that he has never done any government contract, either at the Local Government, State or Federal levels, to come foreward with evidence.
Melaye in a statement entitled: “Stand up for what you believe in regardless of the popularity or acceptance of your belief”, said he has I made sacrifices to the extent of escaping assassination.
He 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 a nation where life is already structured for them. I cannot throw away my sacrifice of being beaten and my clothes torn on the floor of the House of Representatives because of fighting 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 Mrs. 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.
“Finally, Winston Churchill said, “I may not believe in what you have to say, but I will defend to death, your right to say it.” No change of values, in the next few months ahead, Nigerians will those who want President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed. I promise to be with the people at all times, within the constitutional milieu.”
Finally, he urged Nigerians to be change agents for the betterment off the country.
