The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has
disclosed that it has opened an investigation into an allegation that Senator
Dino Melaye, who represents Kogi West constituency in the National Assembly,
maintains a foreign bank account in violation of Nigerian law.
An anti-corruption
organization, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), had in a recent
petition urged the CCB to investigate Mr. Melaye for a number of alleged
crimes, including the operation of a foreign bank account.
In a response addressed to
CSNAC and obtained by SaharaReporters, the Code of Conduct Bureau thanked the
activist group for its “initiative to forward the aforementioned petition for
investigations.”
The CCB’s letter, which was
signed on behalf of the bureau’s chairman by Awwal Usman Yakasai, a director,
also disclosed, “the Bureau is currently investigating the allegations and
awaiting response on correspondences with relevant authorities that may provide
further and possible evidence on the allegations and enable further necessary
action on the matter.”
Mr. Melaye, who has a
reputation as one of Nigeria’s most scandal-dogged senators, is also facing
growing public condemnation after SaharaReporters released an audiotape in
which he is heard discussing a monetary gift and other favors with Justice Akoh
Ikpeme, a female judge who presided over an electoral petition against the
senator. A transcript of the taped conversation revealed that the judge asked
Senator Melaye to provide any funds to her in US dollars.
In response to the tape,
CSNAC also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to
investigate Mr. Melaye for his alleged bribe to Justice Ikpeme in 2015. The
judge ultimately dismissed the electoral challenge to Mr. Melaye’s election.
In a petition signed by its
chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC urged the EFCC to constitute a team of
forensic experts and investigators charged with investigating the audiotape and
possibly prosecuting the senator and Justice Ikpeme.
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