SENATOR DINO MELAYE IS BETTER THAN THE REST

” _Truth has power and evil people are afraid of truth. If not because of the power of truth that the people are afraid of, I would not be able to drive my cars openly in the streets of Abuja without police escort and not be afraid that I would be attacked. I drive freely and openly without police escorts because I have long conquered fear. The truth that I speak is my protection_ ” *Dino Melaye*  (recollected)

I heard the above words of Senator Dino Melaye in the morning of the 10th of December, 2017, *World Human Rights Day,* when I went to see him in company of  *Orits Wiliki* , *Ras Kimono* and one of his constituents, *Ahmed Haruna* , to invite him (Dino) to be part of the celebration of Universal Declaration on Human Rights, later in the evening of that day.

Dino rather engaged us in a feverish homily on the plight of Nigeria and the need for us  to strive for its people. He made the above statement in course of his polemical engagement with us, that morning.

Dino cuts an image of one with a cosmic mission to redeem the poor and enthrone a responsible and, transparent leadership in Nigeria. His obsession with speaking the truth that hurts and heals may be inexplicable but I believe he was born for it and has been adequately rewarded for his commitment to that purpose.

Dino, for me is so in touch with his humanity hence, he lives out his dreams and fancies with exotic cars, including the vintage Peugeot 404.  He has a signature of unapologetic opulence and grandeur yet he treats material things and money with utter disdain, considering them as only fitting for momentary use.

During the night celebrations of the 2017 World Human Rights Day, came Dino driving an open roof sort of Lamboghini car. He drove alone without escorts. And with struts of a collosus, he made his way through the people to be part of the human rights celebrations of that night.

Dino’s speech at the World Human Rights Day event was a reenactment of Dr Martin Luther King’s great Alabama speech. Dino, was visibly surprised by the unusual response of felicity and patriotism elicited by his speech.  He thereafter made an ‘altar call’ for a national rebirth, asking that  ‘ *We shall overcome* ‘ , the African American protestation song be sung as the people came out to express their confidence and belief  in a new Nigeria.  It became a call everyone present at the event answered. Dino became overwhelmed by a crowd of persons seeking to take selfies with him. One of the hosts of the event, Obiora Ilo asked him in open air,  whether he knew he could be that loved by the people in Abuja on World Human Rights Day? And Dino smiled.

Senators *Shehu Sani* and *Ben Bruce* show a great deal of sincerity and responsiveness to the plight of the suffering Nigerian people yet no Senator deprecates corruption and speaks truth to power like the Distinguished Senator *Dino Melaye* .

Oh! There’s the quick retort that he is outlandish on social media. He sings, dances and perhaps wears costumes, mixing up with all sorts of people, including socialites, musicians, the rich and the poor. The irony is that we prefer those who live a lie to the one who is true to himself. Dino has sincerely been true to himself.

Dino has a right to be expressive of his fancies in whichever way he chooses so long as it does not offend the law. Dino not only speaks the truth he lives to be true to himself hence, he is greatly admired by many, who would now have the courage to become so expressive of themselves like him, politically and culturally.

The present travails of Dino Melaye concerning allegations of illegal possession of arms show the travesty of the administration of criminal justice system  in Nigeria, where the complainant can be easily turned into an accused person simply by proclamation.

It is amusing and amazind that supposed material evidence in support of such a weighty allegation against a highly placed individual like Dino, would thereafter vanish in the heat and height of the frenzied  allegations.

Thus, the distinguished senator says, his life is not safe and guaranteed, instead of providing him with protection and justice, he is declared a fugitive in his on country and consequently declared wanted. If that would be happening to a senator, just imagine what would happen to an ordinary citizen? And someone thinks, I would be quiet and do nothing myself, simply because Dino is a senator?

Beyond my conviction that Senator Dino Melaye is a good man and presumed innocent by law, I strongly believe that he is being persecuted for his political views, by malevolent persons who abuse the machinery of government . The handling of the Dino saga by the Nigerian police is laced with manifest bias and unprofessionalism.

I therefore call on citizens to demand greater observation of known policing and investigative  standards which leave no room for suspicion of bias and abuse of policing powers.

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation should immediately withdraw all the dramatic charges that have been filed against Senator Dino Melaye and cause an independent investigation to be conducted by the professionals of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Senator Dino Melaye is not only presumed innocent by law but by his pedigree and character, it is clear that certain political elements both in Kogi State and in the Federal government are hunting and haunting him for his political stance of unnerving truth and demand for responsible governance both in Kogi State and the Federal Government.

This abuse of prosecutorial powers  must be resisted by all law abiding persons either as ordinary citizens or public servants with the responsibility of speaking up and  upholding the known standards of a criminal justice system which should be free from bias and abuse of powers. Such a system should respect the fundamental human rights to liberty, fair hearing and freedom of expression that are constitutionally guaranteed in this democratic Nigeria.

I would not hesitate to use my humble position as a lawyer and civil society leader to fight for the rights of Senator Dino Melaye to ensure that he is safe and entitled to an administration of justice that is fair and free from cheap political bias.

IF YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH, YOU DIE;
IF YOU LIE, YOU DIE.
WE HAVE CHOSEN TO SPEAK THE TRUTH AND DIE.

*Frank Tietie*
Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights ( CASER )
Abuja