Senator Dino Melaye Reveals He Is Pursuing 7th Degree At ABU

By Adenike Lucas

Senator Dino Melaye is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most educated lawmakers.

The Senate member for Kogi West who has a passion for education revealed today, that he was pursuing his 7th degree at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, ABU.

While responding to a false report that claimed he did not graduate, the 43-year-old legislator showed that he had surpassed the minimum requirement needed for the position at the National Assembly.

In Nigeria, one needs at least a School Certificate level or its equivalent; and must be 35 years to become a senator.

Sahara Exposed

Sahara Reporters, an online media often used by the rejected chair of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Mustafa Magu to disparage perceived enemies, falsely claimed in its publication that Senator Melaye did not graduate from ABU.

The story also lied that the Director-General of the Department of State Security, Lawal Duara who authored a report against Mr Magu, investigated and concluded that Senator Melaye did not graduate.

Two days ago, Senator Melaye said he was reliably informed of plans by the EFCC to cook up allegations against him.

Senate sources say “Mr Magu likes to distort information gathered from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU. Since, he (Mr Magu) could not find anything to nail Senator Melaye on, he decided to cook something up.”

DENISAURUS News gathered from a staff how Mr Magu was cooking up new mischief over his confirmation.

The staff also explained how Mr Magu had plotted with a head of commission in Gombe, Ibrahim Bappa, in planting money at the Kaduna airport days before his screening.

Magu Flops At Screening

Last week, lawmakers from the Senate rejected the nomination of Mr Magu following an indicting security report.

The report did not only indict Mr Magu, it also confirmed previous accusation of corruption and victimisation, EFCC workers made to this online newspaper against their boss.

During his screening, Mr Magu who performed woefully could not defend himself against the allegations made by the DSS.

DENISAURUS News understands that Mr Magu who was desperate to be confirmed as the fourth chair of the anti-graft agency gave a bribe to Senator Chukwuka Utazi and Senator Mohammed Ndume.

Mr Magu failed to defend “well” allegations put against him. As a result, the two senators were not able to convince their peers to vote in their interest.

According to staff who have spoken to Adenike Lucas, Editor of DENISAURUS News, for over 12 months, Mr Magu is ‘neck deep’ in corruption.

They say that he “lacks the decorum” and is not suitable to hold the prestigious position of chair, because he is “corrupt”, “an angry bully” who is “intolerant to professionalism.”

EFCC staff added: “Mr Magu is not fit to lead the commission because of the challenges he has in presenting himself to the public.”

Those present at a Lagos symposium where Mr Magu presented a written paper ‘This Is Our Chance’ questioned the authenticity of his University Accountancy Degree.

One person said: “when you ask him, sometimes he’d say he went to Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria another time, he says he graduated from University of Maiduguri.”

Another lambasted him for not being able to read a well written paper that was given to him days back. They say he has “become an embarrassment to himself and the government.”

Cabinet Reshuffle

Citing Order 131 of the Senate Rules, Senator Melaye has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to resend the name of Mr Magu to the senate.

The President was encouraged to consider sending a fresh nominee who is qualified, in terms of experience, integrity, knowledge and temperament to lead the anti-graft agency.

DENISAURUS News has learned that President Buhari might be announcing a cabinet reshuffle later this month.