Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, says he is not
afraid of going to prison.
Melaye
said this on Tuesday on the floor of the senate while drawing the attention of
the upper legislative chamber to the charges filed against him by the federal
government.
The
government had accused Melaye of framing Edward David, chief of staff to Yahaya
Bello, governor of Kogi state, over the alleged assassination attempt on his
life.
The
senator argued that those who attempted to kill him in April were paraded by
the police.
He
wondered why the federal government would quote the police as saying he gave
false information in the naming of the suspects.
Vowing
not to be intimidated, Melaye said he would continue to criticise any public
office holder.
“Edward
is the chief of staff to Kogi state governor and Taofeek is the caretaker
chairman of Ijumu local government of Kogi state. I stated this in my statement
to the Nigerian police,” Melaye said.
“As
a result of that information, they immediately moved to the residence of Alhaji
Taofeek where ammunition were recovered immediately that morning. If naming suspects
now becomes misinformation, I am wondering. The police swung into action. The
tactical command of the IGP swung into action.
“Ten
days after, they apprehended six out of the ten that came to kill me. Not only
were they apprehended, the spokesperson of the Nigerian police paraded them in
a national press conference.
“Not
only were they paraded, the spokesperson of the Nigerian police informed
Nigerians that all the riffles used for their missions have to be recovered by
the police. Not only were the ammunition recovered, confessional statements
have been made by those who were directly involved and they also invited this
same Taofeek.
“I
shall continue to speak. I shall continue to ask questions. I shall continue to
criticise any public officer including the president of the federal republic of
Nigeria.
“I
have conquered fear, I am not afraid of the prison. The last administration
arrested me 14 times, Abacha’s government detained me. Babangida’s government
detained me. I am not afraid of the prison. It is built because of human beings
but we will not stop speaking the truth.
“In
an unjust society, silence is a crime. The battle to bring Nigeria back on
track from these criminals in power is a battle of no retreat no surrender and
I am ready to fight the federal government on this matter and I will fight with
the last drop of my blood.”
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