Alleged Certificate Forgery: Senate Probes Dino Melaye

By Olusegun Lawrence.            Nigerian Senate on Tuesday directed its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate allegation of certificate forgery levelled against Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West.

Melaye, a vocal member of the Red Chamber, heads the ‘juicy’ Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The decision to investigate the alleged forgery followed a Point of Order raised by a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who came under order 14/15 to present the issue to the Senate.

The Deputy Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary however directed the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to look into the matter.

Prompt News Online recalls that an online news platform, SaharaReporters had alleged in series of tweets that Dino Melaye, who read Geography at the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, did not graduate but bribed his way to obtain Transcript that enabled him to pursue a Post Graduate course at the University of Jos.

Some of the tweets by @SaharaReporters read, “university teachers at the Geography Department of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria insist that @dino_melayo did not graduate, bribed his HOD/1.

“Exams Officers at ABU, Zaria insist that @dino_melaye never graduated from Geography Department, they said Dino’s name was not on the graduation list.“

Exam officers stated that @dino_melaye failed GENS 201, GEOG 307 (Long Field Trip Course), GEOG 404, GEOG 411 and GEOG 426.

“At least 3 Exam Officers at ABU, Zaria insist that @dino_melaye never graduated from Geography Dept, DG DSS alerted but covered it up.

“@dino_melaye didn’t graduate from ABU, he applied for a PG programme at UNIJOS, he came to ABU for transcript, none could be provided/1.

“Exam officers, speaking on @dino_melaye’s academic scandal, said his HOD, …, assisted him to forge his transcript.

“@DinoMelaye went ahead to do a PG at UNIJOS without any transcript from ABU, Geo Dept. couldn’t provide, despite pressure.”

Reacting to the allegation, the Senator via his Twitter Handle @DinoMelaye, also tweeted:“

Sahara Reporters, please sue me and ABU if it is true that I did not graduate from Zaria. Tell Magu to arrest me and prosecute me.

“SR, you and your fake documents. I’m presently a student of ABU pursuing my 7th degree. Go round all the UNIS (universities)  I attended in digging more.”

“I can’t be cowed. Still waiting for SaharaReporters to indict me. What happened to the foreign account you reported I have. Na una go tire.”

“Will not be surprised if SaharaReporters say I’m not a Nigerian. Shame!”

Prompt News Online reports that Senator Melaye is a close ally of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.