Assasination attempt on Dino Melaye's life

Sen. Dino Melaye

There has been an attempt on Senator Dino Melaye's life in the early hours of yesterday, April 15, 2017. The senator escaped an assassination attempt on his life at his resident in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi state.

Reports said that about 10 gunmen came around Melaye's home around 12:00 midnight and began to shoot sporadically at the building.

Though Dino was not injured but two of his cars were damaged with bullets.

He reportedly made a distress call to the Kogi state Commissioner of police, CP, Wilson Inalegwu, who inturn ordered his to the scene. But it was later reported that the police got his home after the incident.

The CP has ordered the commencement of investigation into the attack.

Meanwhile, when speaking on the attack, Melaye said he believes the assassination attempt was politically inclined.

He said: “At about midnight, we started hearing gunshots. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullets into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth.

"If I speak the truth, I will die. If I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men, I don’t fear them. I am championing an administrative cause. I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred. I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Nothing will stop me from coming home. 

"The DPO did not come to my house until three hours later. Even the area Commander in Kabba was not notified until I called the Commissioner of police. I suspect a Satanic collaboration between Taufiq Isa and the police in Aiyetoro because the duo held a meeting two days ago. Only God will protect us in this country but definitely not the police."

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Dino Melaye shares photos of his certificate after colllection from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Senator Dino Melaye who was accused of not being a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University by the Sahara reporters is actually doing all it takes to prove that the allegation is false.

Though the Vice Chancellor of the University was summon to the senate to have his say on the matter, which he did and that was in favour of Melaye.

Senator melaye visited the Ahmadu Bello University yesterday, April 7, 2017 for the collection of his certificate from the Citadel. He shared some photographs displaying the certificate with a description, “Got my certificate today”.

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Photos/Video: Supporters of Ali Ndume barricade National Assembly gate, demand the reversal of his suspension

Supporters and lovers of suspended senator, Ali Ndume, have taken to the street to stage a protest over the 6-months suspension placed on Ndume by the upper champer last week.

Recall that Ndume asked the senate to probe the allegations reported by Sahara reporter against Senator Dino Melaye and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The senate decided to suspend Ndume for moving a motion for the investigation of Sahara Reporters claims that Senate President Bukola Saraki imported a Range Rover bulletproof SUV without paying the necessary Customs duty and also that Dino Melaye did not graduate from he Ahmadu Bello University ABU, without proper investigation from his end.

The senate committee on Ethics and Priviledges investigated the claims and found out that all the accusations were false.

His supporters are now calling for the senate to revert their decision by lifting the 6 months suspension placed on him.

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"Saraki Will Reduce Your Punishment If You Apologise" - Melaye to Ndume

Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi west senatorial district, has assured Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno south, that Senate President, Bukola Saraki will reduce his punishment if he apologize.

Ali Ndume

Recall that on thursday, the senate resolved to suspend Ndume for 6 months grounded on the recommendation of its Ethics and Privileges Committee.

The committee made the recommendation after Saraki and Melaye were cleared of allegations drawn against them.

The Borno South senator had earlier moved a motion for his colleagues to be investigated, arguing that the reputation of the senate should be protected and that the allegations levelled against them could tarnish the image of the house.

While Saraki was accused of abuse of privilege for harassing Col. Hameed Ali, Comptroller-General of Customs, because the commission seized a vehicle that belongs to him, Melaye was accused of forgery of his bachelors degree certificate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

Both men refuted the allegations, Melaye was cleared by the Vice Chancellor of ABU, while Saraki denied the ownership of the vehicle.

Melaye said, while speaking on Friday, March 31, 2017, as a guest on a Channels TV's programme, Politics Today, Ndume was never a victim of witch-hunt.

Melaye said: “Senator Ndume is an experienced legislator, having been in the house of representatives for two terms, and this being his second term in the senate.

“I didn’t prophecy that he would be suspended, or did Bukola Saraki, who was wrongly accused. We are not the ones who make up the senate. Ndume should understand the workings of the National Assembly. The senate is made up of 109 members.

“So, the decision to suspend Ndume was not that of Saraki or myself, but the decision of the Nigerian senate after investigation by the relevant committees… We have a very responsible senate president, a very compassionate Nigerian who does not believe in witch-hunting.

“Already, there is a lot of pressure, and people are appealing to the person of Bukola Saraki, and I can say on good authority that if Saraki had presided over Ndume’s case, he may not have been suspended because the senate president is a compassionate character. 

"So, if Ndume shows remorse, apologise to the senate, the Bukola Saraki that I know will persuade members to either reduce his punishment or forgive him.”

Melaye further disagreed with people who said Ndume was not given a fair hearing.

He said: “The senate has the capacity to suspend any erring senator, but what we are saying here is very clear, due process was followed.

“Ali Ndume was given fair hearing. He appeared before the committee, he defended himself before the committee gave that recommendation, which was ratified by the entire senate.”

Melaye failed to answer questions surrounding his certificate controversy from LSE and Harvard University.

“Even a mechanic or a plumber who undergoes apprenticeship is given a certificate… he graduates from his training.

“Anyone who attends a particular institution and is given a certificate that he attended the programme, whether it is diploma, a degree or PhD, as long as you have been given a certificate, you are a graduate of that institution because you carry a certificate of that institution.

“I am not going to be distracted.

“What the lawyers and many others who have been insulting and assaulting the senate fail to understand is that they are not senators.

“They are not part of our decision making. They do not know the debates that led to resolutions and opinions of the senate.

“So, they can only blab from outside… Unfortunately, they cannot influence or destroy whatever we have done. If they want to understand how resolutions are reached or understand the workings of the senate, they would have to contest election and come into the senate. Some have been speaking from the point of ignorance," He added.

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Senator Dino Melaye finally open up on his certificate controversy

Senator Dino Melaye has finally open up about his certificate controversy

Melaye said any individual who is not satisfied with the authenticity of his certificate can rush to court and sue him

Tellforceblog was able to obtain a video of an interview where the Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye, elucidate on the controversy surrounding his first degree certificate acquisition and the suspension of Senator Ali Ndume.

Melaye said, in a Channels TV's programme called Politics Today, he graduated from the university of Ahmadu Belo and that the accusation leveled against him and the Senate President,Bukola Saraki were all lies and have been sorted out by the Senate Committee on Ethics.

However, he failed to give a direct 'yes' or 'no' answer when he was asked if he sincerely has seven degrees, including those from London School of Economics and Harvard University.

Melaye responded by saying: "There is something called investigative journalism, and I'm not going to be ridiculed on a television platform, whatever I have is mine and whatever I said I possessed. Anyone that has an argument against me, the onus is one you to proof it."

Melaye further added that the 6 months suspension given to the senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume, was the Senate’s resolution to discipline members going contrary to the upper chamber's rules.

When asked to clear the air surrounding his year of graduation and NYSC service scheme, the senator said: "That is another lie by Ndume again, Ndume said I served in 1999, my certificate is out, my certificate is bearing 2001, not 1999 but that's another lie that Ndume told. if what I've presented is not true, they should rush to court and sue me."

Recall that Melaye's certificate scandal began when he was accused by Sahara Reporters that he never fulfilled all requirements necessary to graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, where he claimed he got his first degree from.

Senator Dino Melaye has since been cleared by the VC of ABU, but denied by London School of Economics and Harvard University, that he was never their graduate as alleged by the senator. This is still an ache for Melaye to cure.

In another development, Professor Aloysius Okolie has commended the Senate for suspending Senator Ali Ndume.

Okolie has blasted Senator Ali Ndume saying he merits the suspension by the Senate for trying to blackmail it.

Okolie said: “As a distinguished senator, he should not talk like ordinary man on the street; he must have facts and figures before casting aspersion on anybody."

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Video: 'Aje ku iya ni oje' - Seun Kuti dances to a rendition of Dino Melaye's song that went viral

Seun Kuti, son of late popular Afrobeat Legend, Fela, shared a video of himself dancing to the viral song in a video shared by the embattled Senator Dino Melaye on certificate scandal to mock Sahara Reporters.

Seun singing in Yoruba language, Dino said: "Aje ku iya ni oje, ajeku iya ni o je, eni ti o to eni no, ton de na de ni, Aje ku iya ni oje".

If translated, it means you will be beaten mercilessly if you attempt to fight someone stronger than you.

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Certificate scandal: See 7 undeniable facts that finished Dino Melaye

Recall that the Beleaguered Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was on Monday 27, 2017 cleared by Vice Chancellor of Ahamadu Bello University, Professor Ibrahim Garba on certificate and graduation arguments.

Recall that Tellforcebloghad reported that Senate Dino Melaye smashed a N5billion legal suit against the Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

Also Read: Photo: Ali Ndume lied! I finished NYSC in 2001 - Dino Melaye

But notwithstanding, Dino’s clearance by ABU VC, condemnations have unrelenting be gathering force as to the genuineness of his certificate.

In his response, a Facebook user, The truth stated that: “Dino has dug his own grave, and only him shall be buried inside it. Omoyele Sowore does not go to press with gibberish and balderdash. He seeks neither fame nor wealth. And while he may not have 100 percent credibility in all situations, he surely has some concrete proofs at his disposal whenever he takes on anyone.”

Also Read: Photo: Ali Ndume lied! I finished NYSC in 2001 - Dino Melaye

Here are 7 undeniable facts that tacked Dino Melaye to controversy:

1. Inconsistencies in his names

What precisely is the name of Mr. Melaye? Below are five possibilities for this:

• Daniel Jonah Melaye (This was on his statement of results issued by ABU and signed Feb 3, 2000);
• Melaye Daniel (NYSC certificate, July 8th, 2001);
• Daniel Dino Melaye (Diploma certificate from UNIJOS, Aug 3, 2006);
• Melaye Daniel Jonah O (SSCE Certificate, 1992};
• Dino Melaye (Official name, NASS website).

Also Read: Senators Dino Melaye Mocks His Haters After ABU VC Confirmed He Graduated

2. Harvard and LSE

Remember that in a video clip that went viral, Melaye claimed that he possessed a degree certificate from Harvard University and London school of Economics and political science respectively. But, both refuted his claim, in an email letter to Sahara Reporters, that they ever admitted any student by the name Melaye not to talk of being their graduate.

3. Ghost graduate

Sahara Reporters posted the list of ABU 99 set with Dino Melaye's name noticeably missing. Who was a student from a university but does not make the graduating list?

4. No show on the alumni site

Search have been conducted for Dino Melaye's name on the ABU alumni site but all was futile. I have typed all of his names and their variants; nothing came up. I have also typed each of his names separately, still, no show. How is that possible?

Also Read: Photo: Ali Ndume lied! I finished NYSC in 2001 - Dino Melaye

5. Deficiencies in O level certificate

Sahara Reporters revealed that in his SSCE which he sat for in 1992, Dino Melaye had only 3 credits in the following subjects: Agric, CRK and Biology. Now, the question is, how did he gain admission into ABU in spite of scoring P8 in core subjects (Maths, English and even geography)?

6. B.A. Geography?

A dig into ABU's website revealed that the department of Geography was once in the faculty of Arts before it was later added to the faculty of Sciences. However, Dino's statement of results leaves more questions than answers. For instance, between 1973 and 2011,the department graduated the following students with BSc in Geography:

• Bawa Jonah Seth Besanhi (BSc Geography; graduated in 1973);
• Abin Daniel John (BSc Geography; graduated in 1978);
• Dada Daniel Adefila (BSc Geography; graduated in 1979)
• Beshiru Daniel (BSc Geography; graduated in 1980);
• Daniel Bosede Biddy (BSc Geography graduated in 1983);
• Atenji Daniel E. (BSc Geography; graduated in 1986);
• Ndasala Jonah (BSc Geography; graduate in 1987).
• Birga Jonah (BSc Geography; graduated in 2007);
• Kaigama Jonah Ishaku (BSc Geography; graduated in 2011).

So where did Dino who graduated in 1999 get his B.A. result?

7. Conflicting dates on the statement of results

At least, Dino Melaye's statement of results has 3 different dates: on the top right corner of the paper is 26th June, 2000; somewhere in the middle is 3rd February, 2000 and down left is 22nd September, 2010. What happened?

Dino, if you find yourself in a pit, stop digging. This is your Waterloo. We are keenly watching.

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Photo: Despite VC's confirmation, new documents shows Dino Melaye never graduated as claimed

 The battle appears to be a never-ending type between Senator Dino Melaye and the Sahara reporters despites Melaye’s efforts to prove to Nigerians that he is indeed a graduate and that the certificate scandal that is shaking his political career in recent times may just be false.

A sets of new documents have been released to prove that the senator representing Kogi West may have been economical with the truth that he truly graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Kaduna state.

This new documents were released by the Sahara Reporter Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, few hours after the VC of the university, Prof Ibrahim Garba, informed a Senate committee investigating the purported forgery of results against Melaye that the latter actually graduated.

“These documents outed ABU VC Prof Ibrahim Garba, he couldn't manipulate them, so he opted for ‘available records’.

“The documents released by the exam officers of the Geography department at ABU shows Mr Daniel ‘Dino’ Jonah Melaye couldn't have graduated –‘GEOG 307’ Long Field Trip is a compulsory course at the department. Melaye never passed ‘GEOG 307’ according to these official records.

“First, the course was carried over to the 4th year, and then it disappeared from his grades.

“Dino and his HOD manipulated and fraudulently added 2 units towards the "Total Earned Course Units (TECU) in his 4th year,” Sowore alleged.

Recall that Melaye had on Monday, March 27, appeared before the Senate committee on ethics and privileges over accusations that he was never a graduate of the Ahamdu Bello University, Zaria.  

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Photo: Ali Ndume lied! I finished NYSC in 2001 - Dino Melaye

In a way to support the validation of his graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West Central has said he completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps in 2001.

The embattled senator has released a photo of his NYSC certificate Melaye in a new post on his Instagram page said contrary to statement by Senator Ali Ndume he commenced his NYSC in 2000 and completed in 2001.

READ ALSO: Senators Dino Melaye Mocks His Haters After ABU VC Confirmed He Graduated

Melaye said: "Another Ndume lie. I finished NYSC in 2001."

Find a screenshot of his post below: 

Dino Melaye has shown that he completed NYSC in 2001

Recall that the Vice-Chancellor of the ABU had established to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges that Melaye graduated as Daniel Melaye in 2000 from the University.

The VC also said Melaye graduated with a third class Bachelors' of Arts degree in Geography.

READ ALSO: Photo: Senator Melaye Petitions DSS against Sahara Reporters

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Photo: Senator Melaye Petitions DSS against Sahara Reporters

The embattled Senator Dino Melaye has petitioned Department of State Security, DSS, over Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.


Dino Melaye has filed a petition at the DSS against publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over recent accusation made by the online media outfit, that he was never a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria.

Dino has also filed a petition against Sowore at the office of the Inspector General of Police, IGP.

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Senate invites ABU Vice Chancellor over Melaye's Certificate scandal

Senator Dino Melaye

The Senate is set to invite the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, to shed more light on the noise surrounding the degree certificate of Senator Dino Melaye.

According to the Punch, the upper house of parliament will this week call on the authorities of the university to illuminate more about the alleged Melaye’s certificate scandal.

The news media refer to a source as saying that the beckon will clear air on the lasting controversy.

“The Senate is inviting the authorities of the Universities Dino Melaye said he attended. Specifically, the Senate is inviting Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) to clear the controversy. The truth will be cleared by ABU this week. All the allegations are rubbish, ABU will not offer anybody admission with three credits,” the source said.

According to Vanguard, reports that the VC of ABU, Professor Ibrahim Garba will appear before the Senate today, March 27, 2017.

Recall that a classmate of the embattled Senate Dino Melaye, at ABU, Abdussobur Salaam, did not let the weekend roll without putting his own stick into the flame, by describing the travails of the senator as payback for certain sins committed in the past.

Salaam‎ who currently works at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), spoke about the certificate controversy in which the senator is currently embroiled.

He said: "Permit me to make an intervention on the issue of Dino and ABU, having been admitted and ‘graduated’ from ABU same year as Dino. I use the word ‘graduated’, very guardedly and with caution.

“Permit me to say that as at the time we were admitted, Geography Department was under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). In our 200 level, the Faculty was split and Geography Department had issues of where to fit in. It was initially placed under Faculty of Arts and later shifted to Faculty of Sciences where it is presently domiciled. The narrative on his certificate could be correct."

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Certificate saga: Dino Melaye's school mate finally revealed the real truth

A schoolmate of the beleaguered Senator Dino Melaye, Abdussobur Salaam, at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Abdussobur Salaam, has described the battle the senator is fighting as payback for certain evils committed in the past.

Salaam,‎ who is currently working at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), spoke about the controversy surrounding the certificate controversy in which the senator is presently entangled.

According to Premium Times, Salaam spoke on a Penpushing social media platform and said he studied political science at ABU at the same period Melaye was a student in the Department of Geography at the university.

“Permit me to make an intervention on the issue of Dino and ABU, having been admitted and ‘graduated’ from ABU same year as Dino. I use the word ‘graduated’, very guardedly and with caution.

“Permit me to say that as at the time we were admitted, Geography Department was under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). In our 200 level, the Faculty was split and Geography Department had issues of where to fit in. It was initially placed under Faculty of Arts and later shifted to Faculty of Sciences where it is presently domiciled. The narrative on his certificate could be correct.

“Dino and I are supposed to be ‘friends’ but differences never permitted while we were in school. Till date, we communicate once in a while, but I dare say he is the architect of his problems.

“I have spent all yesterday responding to enquiries on different platforms about Dino’s status as a graduate. My take?

“We were admitted the same year, initially into the same faculty of FASS, and given that our courses were four years, we ought to have graduated same year.

“However, recalling how studentship in ABU was that period, you could never be too sure of the academic status of any ‘student’.

“What do I mean? We had ‘students’ who were always around, attended lectures, participated in all student activities, were allocated hostel space, were always holding files and feigning academic seriousness, only for an issue to come up and you would find out that despite your having known them for years, they were never students but just lived pseudo student lives!”

Salaam, who was an ex-Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities at FUNAAB, said such ways of the fake students might make it hard for any of their contemporaries to believe that they were not authentic students.

“If they were never discovered, 20 years time, if a controversy arose as to their status, one would swear confidently that the person graduated!” ‎, he stated.

“While this is not exactly the same with Dino, you cannot be too sure until facts are unearthed.

“I know for a fact that we were admitted together. I am aware that he was very active in student political circles, though he has attempted to insinuate that he was SUG president to shore up his political profile. Unfortunately, during our time, under the reign of Uncle K, (General Kontagora as Sole Administrator) the student Union was proscribed, so that claim cannot stick! He lied on that!

“As President of Geography students, I am aware that he was impeached. I also know that he had fraud related issues with the Kogi State Students Association and Segun Halilu personally had lamented to me about this, then.

“I remember that he wanted to join the OAU students club then, and we blocked his membership, knowing his tendencies to cause confusion and take over the structure of the club for personal ends.”

“On his status as a graduate, only the records can tell. For all you know, he may have had a few unresolved carry-overs. Knowing Dino, he may have bluffed, paid or manipulated the system to ensure those records are obliterated.

“If not, recall that given the circumstances of our year set, many concessions/ waivers were given to ensure that we graduated, having spent almost double the statutory length of years we should spend. Dino may just have been such a beneficiary of waivers. It is however not our place to tell, but the truth will unfold itself”, Mr. Salaam stressed.

“As a political scientist, what I see is a class fragmentation struggle. An in-house struggle within the elite class. Saraki and Dino are the subjects of attack today for takeover of the National Assembly. They may get over it or it may consume them.

“However, I do not have my sympathy for him (Mr. Melaye) because he is also a master in the art of subterfuge, blackmail and crude propaganda. Today, he is a victim of the same method he has adopted over the years and I am happy to see the tables turn!

“Unfortunately, issues like this have led to the results they were meant to produce – public hysteria! Everyone is now caught up in debates about the Dino certificate scandal, or is it Dinogate?

“Everyone includes me! Last two weeks, it was Apostle Suleiman. This week, it is Dino. Who knows who next week will throw up? While we dwell on personalities, and are distracted by their shenanigans, we continue to remain victims of the plots and scheming.

“At the end of the day, things like this die off, others take their place in an endless cycle of politics of personality. While the elite class continues to regale us with entertainment, the real problems of underdevelopment, poverty, poor infrastructure, bad governance, corruption, and other malaise remain! God help Nigeria!” he concluded.

Efforts to get through to Senator Melaye on Salaam’s fresh claims of the former’s roles while in school including his purported impeachment as a president of geography students were futile. The senator did not pick or return calls to his phone on Sunday.

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Dino Melaye scandal: Reno Omokri takes a swipe at President Buhari

Former-special assistant to Ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Reno Omokri has shaded the Buhari-led government, as he cast his own comment on the recent fake certificate scandals swaying the nation.

Omokri stated in a statement on Facebook that the same stick which is presently being used wrongly on Senator Dino Melaye, should have been used on the number one citizen of the nation.

The senator from Kogi, Dino Melaye, has been accused of not graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University where he studied geography even though he has maintained that he did while also professing that he has several degrees from many universities in Nigeria and abroad.

Senator Ali Ndume had raised a point of order asking the Senate to investigate the allegation that Melaye did not graduate from ABU as professed.

In reaction, Melaye had slammed out at the Senator saying not only did he graduate from Abu but claimed he also possess a degree from Harvard.

Commenting on the controversy, Reno Omkri took to his Facebook page, saying: "I wish the efforts by Dino Melaye's enemies in the APC to verify his certificate can be applied to verifying the certificate of another powerful man in the APC. We should not treat Dino Melaye one way and the other powerful man another way.

“If they think Dino Melaye is unfit to hold his Senatorial seat because he did not graduate from university (which is untrue) then they should apply their logic to all political office holders no matter how high they are. If Dino must present his certificate then others must also present their own too! What is good for the goose is good for the gander!"

Omkori has also talked about the ongoing rift concerning Governor Nasir El-Rufai's negative comment on the Buhari-led administration.

Omokri said: "Oh Mr. President, what a pity, what a pity! First your own wife warns you that she may not even campaign for you in 2019, then your political khalifa, the magajin Buhari in the person of Nasir El-Rufai, calls you a failure!

"If you consigned your wife to the 'other room' as punishment, to which room will you consign El-Rufai? "

"Let me recommend a room for you. How about the kitchen? I am sure you have some knives there. El-Rufai will find them handy in practicing his favorite hobby-backstabbing."

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“If it takes my life, so be it." - Sahara reporter to Senator Dino Melaye

The struggle between the embattled Nigerian senator, Dino Melaye and online media outlet, Sahara Reporters is getting deeper than even the Atlantic Ocean as the days passes.

Just few hours ago, editor of Sahara Reports shared an alleged screenshot of an email received from London School of Economics and Political Science stating that they have no confirmation of Dino Melaye attending its school.

Omoyele Sowore then went on to share a bold piece on his Facebook page stating, “If it takes my life, so be it. If it means another unjust ruling asking for damages for thieves. So be it.”

Read his full statement:

“Folks: It was brought to my attention earlier that Nigerian Senator Dino Melaye promised to 'send me to jail' over the recent unraveling of his questionable educational background. While some are worried, appalled, alarmed and concerned and even scared about this declaration, it had me thinking differently. I am a Nigerian citizen who had been through torture, humiliations, and incarceration by dictators in uniform between 1992-1999 before I eventually left Nigeria.

“I have never doubted the power of justice over legalities. That a Nigerian Senator in a democratic era could make this proclamation is indeed a sign that our democratic transition was a farce, particular when you've now noticed that Mr. Melaye was sitting at the feet of one of Nigeria's worst military dictators, Ibrahim Babangida just a week ago.

“One of Babangida's worst crimes against humanity was the assassination of notable investigative journalists of our time, Dele Giwa, by way of a parcel bomb. Another thing Melaye shares in common with Babangida and his killer squad was using libel lawsuits to silence inquisitions.

“In the 80's Gani Fawehimi was found liable of libeling the killers of Dele Giwa and asked to pay damages to Halilu Akilu.

“Here is how I am different and also not different, I am not going to run away from criminals running the Nigerian political space until they are defeated, and their ideologies of greed, bloodiness, and avarice are entirely abandoned and discredited forever (Apology to Bob Marley).

“If it takes my life, so be it. If it means another unjust ruling asking for damages for thieves. So be it. We must take our space back from the 10 percenters, drug dealers, certificate forgers, money launderers, political manipulators, and assassins.

"Thank you.”

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If Buhari is allowed to rule without certificate, Melaye is qualified to serve with toilet paper – Fayose’s aide

Lere Olayinka, who is the Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to Ekiti State Governor, has purported that President Muhammadu Buhari is ruling Nigeria with ‘NEPA bill.’

Olayinka made the assertion in justification of Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, who has been at the heart of a certificate humiliation.

Meanwhile, the Punch reports that a news platform had recently claimed that Melaye never graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria as generally thought.

Despite Melaye’s assertion that he was admitted into ABU, headed the Student Union Government in his days at the sanctuary of learning, graduated successfully, the Senate decided to investigate the claims.

To counter this backdrop, Melaye had launched a N5billion libel suit against the online media outfit.

But in reaction to the ongoing certificate scandal, Fayose’s spokesman came in defence of the Kogi lawmaker, saying President Muhammadu Buhari has no legal reason to bully any politicians who is indicted of fake certificate.

In a brief statement on his Facebook page, Olayinka wrote: “Even if Dino Melaye presents Toilet paper as certificate, we like it like that.

“After all, our President is ruling us with NEPA BILL as certificate.”

For the meantime, Melaye has shared certificate of his MSc got from ABU.

Conversely, the London School of Economics had denied that Melaye ever attended the school.

According to Sahara Reporters however, the LSE rebuffed that the Melaye attended the institution.

Candy Gibson, the senior media relations officer at the university said: “We have checked our records and can find no evidence of Dino Melaye having any degree qualification from the London School of Economics and Political Science.”

This comes just as Harvard University also claimed he never acquire a degree but only did a one-week course.

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Dino Melaye’s Bachelor of Arts certificate fake - says ABU

Senator Dino Melaye

The qualification outrage surrounding Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, has excavated.

According to Punch, the documents it obtained through meticulous and comprehensive investigations revealed that the beleaguered senator has a Bachelor of Arts certificate in Geography from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna state.

The lawmaker, aside from bagging a third class, also holds a diploma certificate from the University of Jos.

However, the senator only possesses a statement of results from ABU. And aside that, checks at the university disclosed that it only offers B.Sc. Geography and not B.A. Geography as echoed on Melaye’s statement of results.

It was reported that Melaye’s woe started on Monday, March 20, 2017 when an online news outlet, Sahara Reporters, in a tweet reported that the senator did not graduate from ABU for his first degree, against his assertion that he studied Geography in the prestigious university.

Sahara reporter also alleged that Melaye, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, enticed his Head of Department, who helped him to forge his record.

In a successions of tweets via its Twitter handle, @SaharaReporters, the online media outfit said some lecturers in the Geography Department maintained that Melaye did not graduate from the department and that his name was not on the graduation list because he failed five core courses.

After the report, Melaye dismissed the accusations, daring the Sahara reporters to sue him if it had true evidence to back its claims.

Melaye took to his twitter page and wrote, “SaharaReporters, please sue me and ABU if it is true that I did not graduate from Zaria. Tell Magu (EFCC Chairman) to arrest and prosecute me.”

Melaye also bragged that he was presently a student in ABU racing for his seventh degree.

He said: “Go round all the UNIS (universities) I attended in digging more.”

A day following the news broke, the senator, while speaking on the floor of the Senate, also addressed himself as an authentic graduate of ABU.

In the meantime, Punch said that when it contacted ABU to verify the contradictory information, the university’s Information Officer, Adamu Mohammed, assured that the institution would come out with its position on Wednesday, March 22, which it’s yet to do as of the time of filing this report.

Amidst the hullabaloo, documents acquired by Saturday Punch show that the senator had a statement of results with the logo of ABU.

The statement of results read: “This is to certify that Daniel Jonah Melaye having completed an approved course of study and passed the prescribed examinations as, under the authority of the Senate been awarded the Bachelor of Arts (Geography) with Third Class honours.”

The statement, released by the Office of the Registrar, Academic Office and dated February 3, 2000, was signed by B.B. Mshelthlila.

However, there are certain inconsistencies that beg for more explanations. For example, in the statement of results, his name was given as ‘Daniel Jonah MELAYE.’

Research, however, on https://abu.edu.ng/ show that Geography is in the Faculty of Science and not the Faculty of Arts as reproduced in the statement of results.

Also, in the legislator’s NYSC discharge certificate, which was dated July 8, 2001, his name read ‘Melaye Daniel’ and not Daniel Jonah as presented in the statement of results.

As well, in the diploma certificate given to him by the University of Jos on August 3, 2006, the name on it reads “Daniel Dino Melaye.”

Melaye was issued an Advanced Diploma certificate in Law, Security and Conflict Resolution. He completed the course with ‘Lower Credit’ on August 3, 2006.

Though, in his Senior School Certificate in 1992, his name read ‘Melaiye Daniel Jonah O.’ with Melaye being incorrectly spelt. 

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FG demands for Melaye’s academic records from ABU

Senator Melaye Dino

The certificate forgery case against Senator Dino Melaye has taken another dimension as the federal government is set to venture into the case by investigating the accusations against the senator.

Senator Melaye’s woe started on Monday, March 20, 2017, following an online news media, Sahara Reporters, claimed that the senator did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna state for his first degree, against his claim that he studied geography in the prestigious institute.

However the senator has refuted claims that he was not a graduate as false, ABU is yet to make an official statement pertaining the issue.

Today, the federal government has formally demanded that the authority of university supply the academic details of the senator, to shed light on the controversy over his completion of his degree programme in geography at the university.

The Guardian said that a top official of ABU, Zaria, who beseeched privacy, said the government had demanded the instant release of the academic chronicles of Senator Dino Melaye and that the university was already gathering the records for release soon.

The official said that nobody is in doubt if Senator Melaye attended ABU, but what was in debate was whether the politician completed his course of study.

He said: "The university will make the relevant information available, to the best of my knowledge, the Senator was on this campus and read a course of study for which I think he graduated between 1997 and 1998 as the case may be.

“These details can always be found in the list of graduating students of Geography in either of those years as the case may be, but for me, I think he ran a programme and I should think he successfully ended up in either of those years I mentioned.”

Also, a student union government (SUG) official activist and departmental mate of Senator Melaye, who also seek anonymity, said he and the senator were officials of the national union of geography students at ABU.

“While Dino was the National President of Geography Department, I was the Assistant Secretary General, I presided over his impeachment during the controversy leading to his ousting from that office.

“Let me tell you, Dino was a radical student activist in campus. I will give that to him and at a point he was confrontational to the establishment in the University. And at last, the institution did everything possible to bring him close and later became the eyes of the authority on campus,” he said.

He add: "I can attest that Senator Dino actually completed a course of study in Geography in 1998; whether he had carry-over in some courses that were later waved is what I cannot say.”

“I think Dino later graduated from ABU, Zaria with a Third class or Pass. I am sure of that. Let anybody not deceive you that he did not study or graduate in ABU. Go and find out, he did. He is stubborn, that I will give to him. And I think that is what is still trailing him in the Senate,” he said.

“The Senator and I were in Geography Department and two of us were also officials of the National Union of Geography Students at ABU.”

Recall that as soon as the news on Melaye’s certificate scandal pop up, President Muhammadu Buhari showed his concern over the spread of examination malpractices and fake certificates virus in the country.

President Buhari also condemned the rate at which public servants and individuals of questionable wealth were being celebrated with alumni recognitions, given honorary degrees, chieftaincy titles and even higher religious titles

Buhari stated that cheating in examination and obtaining of fake certificates among Nigerians had become a normalcy due to collapse of values in the society. 

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N5bn defamation suit: I will tender my certificate in evidence, Dino Melaye tells Court

Resolute to show that he was presented a Bachelors Degree by the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the embattled Senator Dino Melaye, on Thursday, March 23, swore to tender his certificate before a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama.

Also read: London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

Senator Melaye, representing Kogi West in the Senate, said he is ready to tender his certificates during hearing of a N5billion defamation suit he banged against an online media outift, Sahara Reporters, which suspected that the senator never graduated from the Geography Department of ABU, Zaria.

In the lawsuit filed through his lawyer, Mark Ikongbeh, the senator, maintained that he indeed obtained a B.Sc. in Geography from the Academia.

Also read: London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

Melaye told the court that the certificate outrage has opened him to great psychological and emotional pain, saying he has been abandoned by his associates and friends due to the libellous publication by the defendants.

Referred to as 1st to 4th defendants in the lawsuit marked M/4812/17, were, the Incorporated Trustees of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Sahara Reporters Media Group Inc, Omoyele Sowore and Temitope Olumuyide.

Aside asking the court to award him N5billion as aggravate and exemplary compensations for defamation, the plaintiff also applied for an order restraining the defendants, by themselves or by their servants or agents, from making further publications on the subject.

Melaye equally seek N10million as charge for the legal action. In the declaration of claim, the plaintiff told the court that a great figure of his constituents, associates, friends, foreign acquaintances have felt so deceived and let down by conducts, cruelly and insincerely alleged against him by the respondents, to an level that they have ostracised him and have currently given him a wide mooring.

The Senator said: “Many invitations to honourable events have been withdrawn and attempts to reach out to several people who had very cordial relations with the plaintiff has been met with a cold shoulder.

“The plaintiff has suffered great psychological stress and emotional trauma by reason of the defamatory publications arising from the loss of company he has suffered from friends and associates.

“This precarious psychology state has been exacerbated by the number of people whom the plaintiff has had to reach out to or who have reached out to him for explanation and reassurance of the truth in the situation.

“The plaintiff has greatly been weighed down emotionally by the sudden loss of huge public goodwill which he enjoyed prior to the publication of the defamatory publication.

“Further, the defendants published the defamatory words out of malevolence and spite towards the plaintiff and with a view to cower the plaintiff into soft pedalling on his stance in several issues ongoing in the Senate chambers.”

He declare in a 15-paragraphed affidavit that was personally deposed by the complainant:

“That I am a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Kogi West Senatorial District of Kogi State and I was once the honourable member of the House of Representatives representing the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency. Amongst other duties; I currently serve as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the FCT.

“The 1st defendant is an organisation setup under Part C of the companies and Allied Matters Act as a non-profit organisation ostensibly dedicated to promoting a brand of investigative journalism pioneered by the 4th defendant. The 1st defendant is the Nigerian arm of the 4th defendant. The 1st defendant by its official filings at the Corporate Affairs Commission is based in Lagos.

“The 2nd and 3rd defendants are the Trustees of the 1st defendant and also the promoters of the 4th defendant. They are self-styled investigative journalists who are not visibly known to be accredited by or affiliated to any registered media outfit.

“They operate under the popular ‘Sahara Reporters’ brand. The 2nd and 3rd defendants operate all over Nigeria but have listed addresses located in Lagos in their corporate filings.

“The 4th defendant is a business Corporation organised under the laws of New York State in the United States of America and is the proprietor of a website and other online channels through which it disseminates news items predominantly about governance issues in Nigeria.

“The 2nd defendant is listed as the Chief Executive Officer of the 4th defendant. That the 4th defendant is based in New York, United States of America but is represented in the country by the 2nd defendant who is also its alter ego and service of court process on the 2nd defendant will definitely bring the suit to the 4th defendant’s attention.

“On the 19th and 20th March 2017, the defendants falsely and maliciously wrote, posted, and published or caused to be written on their verified Twitter handle identified as @SaharaReporters hosted online at the web address of and concerning me by directly mentioning and linking it to my Twitter handle identified as @dino_melaye hosted online at the web address ; the following words:

“FLASH: University teachers at the Geography Department of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria insists that @dino_melaye did not graduate, bribed his HOD/1 (posted at 4:09 PM- 19th March 2017.

“FLASH: University teachers at the Geography Dept of ABU, Zaria insists that @dino_melaye never graduated, DG DSS informed but covered it up. (posted at 4:11 PM- 19th March 2017.

“FLASH: At least 3 Exam Officers at ABU, Zaria insists that @dino_melaye never graduated from Geography Dept, DG DSS alerted but covered it up (posted at 4:14PM – 19th March 2017).

“FLASH: Exam Officers at ABU, Zaria insists that @dino_melaye never graduated from Geography Dept, they said Dino’s name was not on graduation list (posted at 4:16 PM -19th March 2017).”

Dino said the virtual media outlet equally posted that his HOD, Prof. David Okoro Ogbonna, helped him to falsify his transcript and that he applied for a Post Graduate class at UNIJOS, went to ABU for transcript and not any could be provided.

He said: “By the said words in their natural and ordinary meaning, the defendants meant and were understood to mean: That I am dishonest and have deceived the public about the state of my academic qualifications.

“That my academic credentials are shady and questionable. That I am guilty of bribery and corruption. That I have corruptly influenced investigation against me.

“That I am guilty of forgery. That I am guilty of corruptly influencing public officers in the performance of their duties. That my educational qualifications are false and fake.

“That I am guilty of the criminal conduct of collusion and falsification of official records. That I am unworthy of the credit and trust of the society. That I am unworthy to hold the office of the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The above publication received instant widespread publicity both within and outside Nigeria as the defendants website and their electronic channels enjoy huge popularity globally.

“The verified twitter handle of the defendants @saharaReporters has over 1, 390, 000 followers to 

whom the publication was immediate made available upon publication”.

“The greatest impact of this publication is here in Abuja”. According to him, “The result of the publication of the defamatory words by the defendants has been devastating to my image and has greatly injured my credit and reputation and brought me into public scandal, odium and contempt.”

In his statement of assertion, Melaye also told the court that the defendants, “propagate a style of unconventional and unregulated journalism which they term “advocacy journalism” that encourages.

Also read: London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

“citizen journalist” (essentially untrained and unregulated individuals) to report news items which are not subject to verification before publication.

“The plaintiff is a graduate of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he bagged a B. Sc in Geography. The Plaintiff’s certificates are pleaded.

“The plaintiff at all times material to this suit is a highly visible politician who is well known through the length and breadth of Nigeria and globally. He ranks high amongst the most well-known public office holders currently in Nigeria having served in several capacities over the years.

“The plaintiff has particularly become a beacon and a model to the youths of the world due to the roots of his political life which begun with his active participation in student union affairs at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

“By dint of selfless stewardship, the plaintiff successfully transformed from a youth leader into a National leader in Nigeria reputed for frankness, forthrightness and principled leadership.”

Also read: London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

However, the lawsuit is yet to be allotted to any judge for trial.

Also read: London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

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London School of Economic denies Melaye attended institution

Senator Dino Melaye

*Senator Dino Melaye is in a serious battle with certificate scandal over his academic qualification

*The Senator professed he graduated from several universities

*LSE refuted his claim of association with the school.

Senator Dino Melaye’s present scandal regarding his academic qualification has entered another corner after the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) repudiated his claim that he acquired a degree from the institute.

The senator who is from Kogi has been suspected of not graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, a place claimed he studied geography, and also professing to have been a graduate of several degrees from different universities in Nigeria and in foreign countries.

Senator Ali Ndume had suggested, asking the Senate to investigation the accusation that Melaye was not an alumna of ABU as claimed.

Reacting to this allegations, Senator Melaye had slammed the Senator, saying not only did he graduate from Abu but claimed he also possesed a degree from Harvard.

Melaye said: “I and here to respond to the issue raised by the Boko Haram suspect (and) senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ali Ndume. I want to say, to me, it is a welcome development. Democracy is about investigation and no senator is above investigation. To me, it is a welcome development and it will finally clear the air on all the malicious and vindictive allegations.

“To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say that I am not a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ABU is a very prestigious university in this country and it is not possible for one to be running a master’s programme in the university when one did not graduate from a university. I have successfully completed one and I am doing the second one.

“I want to announce that this is the eighth degree that I am pursuing. I am also a graduate of University of Abuja, where I did Masters in Policy Analysis. I am a graduate of London School of Economics and Political Science. I am also a graduate of Harvard University. The course I am pursuing now will make it my eighth degree.”

The senior media relations officer for LSE, Candy Gibson, said: “We have checked our records and can find no evidence of Dino Melaye having any degree qualification from the London School of Economics and Political Science.”

This follows the Harvard University’s assertion that Melaye did not obtain a degree but only attended the institution for one-week course.

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Photos: Dino Melaye launches N5bn lawsuit against Sahara Reporters

Dino Entering court. Photo credit: Sumner Chagari

The embattle Senator Dino Melaye has this morning, March 23, 2017, approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, to file a N5 billion lawsuit against Sahara Reporters who published over a recent information, alleging Senator Melaye never graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University as claimed.

The Senate has ordered its committee on Ethics and Priviledges to look into this allegation reported by the media outfit. The embattle senator has however refuted the claim.

Dino Entering court. Photo credit: Sumner Chagari

The pictures in this post shows how Melaye was entering an Abuja court to file his case. 

Photo credit: Sumner Chagari

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