Dino Melaye, The
Senator Representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the upper legislative
chamber, has defended his recent visit to the headquarters of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Senator was sighted at the EFCC office during
the interrogation of wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki, by the
anti-graft agency.
Melaye in a statement entitled: “Stand Up For
What You Believe In,” and issued on Friday in Abuja, said he has made
sacrifices for the country and had survived assignation attempts.
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 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 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.”
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