Barely one day after his brush with security agencies, there were indications that the Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption and former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye may have sacked all his nine domestic staff which includes drivers, cleaners and stewards.
Although the details of the sack which took place on Tuesday were still sketchy as at the time of this report, our correspondent gathered that the action also affected his cook, some relatives, house girl and gardener.
Sources said the decision was taken to forestall planting incriminating material by government agents in the house, following his persistent clamour for the sack of the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah over the N225 million armoured car scandal.
Already, Melaye was said to have further fortified his residence in Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja with Hi-tech electronic gadgets and cameras.
A source close to him told our correspondent on Wednesday that those who were affected were mostly staff “who could easily be compromised with money and other mouth-watering incentives.”
In a tel;ephone conversation with our correspondent, Melaye confirmed the action and said there was nothing wrong with his action. “I decided to sack all my nine domestic staff because the level of trust has declined. Any one them could be used, some of them could be compromised. But I have decided not to sack my dogs because they are very loyal to me.
“This government is so desperate to get back at me and from the recent incident in which security agencies ransacked my house, it has reached a situation where government could use any means to hit back at me because if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back.
“A telecommunication firm came around to instal hi-tech CCTV cameras and other security gadgets. They finished the installation which I personally supervised and I now monitor my house through my telephone.”
One of the affected staff who spoke on the condition of anonymity however said that they bore no grudge against Melaye.
“We understand oga’s situation and predicament; he has spoken with us on the need to carry out this measure because we are also aware that his life is no longer safe. This year, Oga Melaye passed through trying times ranging from assassination attempt on his life, threats, intimidation and arrests”, he stated.
Melaye, was on Monday arrested by security operatives two weeks after leading protesters to Eagle Square, Abuja over the N255m bulletproof car scandal and was taken to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command by a Special Team led by one Patrick Ejoh, an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
The police officers were said to have arrived Melaye’s office at about 5.20 pm with a warrant of arrest for alleged “criminal intimidation and threat to life.”
He was later driven to his Wuse residence by the security agents who ransacked his house in search of some vital documents.