Dino Melaye Blasts Smart Adeyemi’s Corruption Claims

Senator Dino Melaye has hit back at his predecessor, Smart Adeyemi for making claims of corruption against him.

The representative of the Kogi West senatorial district has been under the spotlight again after Sahara Reporters leaked a tape last week of a telephone conversation that allegedly involved him and Justice Akon Ikpeme, the chairperson of the Kogi State Election Tribunal.

The tape has sparked talks of illegal dealings between the two, and Adeyemi called for a thorough investigation of the matter on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

While speaking on the subject, Adeyemi had said, “I hereby call for a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities, that is, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General for the Federation, the National Judicial Council, the EFCC, the ICPC and the DSS.

“I wish to emphasise without any fear of contradiction that in the Nigerian judiciary, there are people of high integrity; who are God-fearing. Our judiciary is still one of the best in Africa and, indeed, our professionals compete favourably with the best of legal practitioners around the globe.”

Adeyemi was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election and he said he suspected foul play when his petition against Melaye’s victory was struck out by the Elections Tribunal chaired by Justice Ikpeme.

In a strongly-worded rebuke, Melaye claimed Adeyemi was only trying to soil his name, claiming that the ex-Senator has no roots in Kogi state except for three buildings.

While speaking during the interview, the controversial senator said, “Senator Smart is a desperate person. The same reason why he left PDP for APC thinking he is going to be appointed Minister.

“He did not get that Ministerial appointment and that is why he left PDP. He is my political wife any day and I challenge him to an election 1000 times, I will defeat him. He has no base in Kogi state.

“He has no personal structure or building in the length and breath of Kogi State apart from the three bungalow room he built for his mother. I have investments in Kogi state. None of his investments is in Kogi state. The people saw through him that he has always lied and deceived them.”

Senator Melaye has denied the authenticity of the leaked conversation, accusing Sahara Reporters of having a personal vendetta against him.

He stated this in a tweet on his personal twitter handle (@dino_melaye), tweeting, “Sahara Reporters and awada kerikeri using voice over to malign me because my case with them comes up a in few days time (5th June 2017).”