The Chairman, Senate Adhoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Mr. Dino Melaye, has explained why he accompanied Mrs Toyin Saraki to f the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Melaye said he went to the EFCC office “as a private investigator and an anti-corruption crusader,” to find out the extent of culpability of his “sister and friend” since she was not told the content of the petition against her.
He said he was arrested 14 times in one year by the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan because of his commitment to seeing a better Nigeria
He said, “The invitation of Mrs. Toyin Saraki by the EFCC, however, is not a criminal indictment. I will not abandon my friend because of (a) 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.”
Melaye, in a statement entitled, ‘Stand up for what you believe in regardless of the popularity or acceptance of your belief,’ which was obtained by Saturday PUNCH in Abuja, challenged anyone to controvert his claim that he had never taken any government contract, be it at the local, state or federal level.
He said, “I chose to react to the attacks I have received from my brothers, sisters and fellow citizens because I was seen in the headquarters of EFCC with my sister, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.
“I will start by saying that my struggle to fight corruption in Nigeria was not an assignment or a paid job. It was borne out of passion and desire to build a new Nigeria where justice, equity and egalitarianism become a new order.
“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 LG, state or federal levels. It is not criminal to do so, but he who must come to equity must come with clean hands.
“If my father is invited by the EFCC, I will go there; if a prima facie 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.”