Perjury: I’m not in Jail- Gombe Federal Lawmaker Claims
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Gombe Lawmaker, representing Billiri/Balanga federal constituency in the house of representatives Hon. Victor Mela, says he is not in any correctional facility, as widely reported in other platforms excluding Periscope Nigeria.
Mela was sentenced on Friday, to a month imprisonment for lying under oath with an option of 30,000 fine, which he said he met successfully.
Mela in a press statement signed by his media aide Ibrahim Tal, on Saturday said he does not have a British passport, neither was he imprisoned nor detained at any point in time during and after the trial.
The statement partly stated, “I had briefed about happenings surrounding the alleged false declaration case filed against me at the instance of Hon. Ali Isa JC, who had earlier instituted 5 court cases against me since his overwhelming defeat by my humble self at 2019 National Assembly Elections.
“Yesterday (Friday), the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Zone 6, Abuja finally dispensed of the matter with sentencing. I was given an option of fine; a condition which I satisfied immediately.
“As at the end of working hours on Friday Nov. 27 2020, Certified True Copies (CTC) of the Judgement and Sentence of the Court had not being issued to anyone, I inclusive, as a result of which the source of the news circulating on some social media platforms remains inexplicable.
“As always and even at the moment, I am free and carrying out my legislative duties for the good people my Constituency, my State and the nation as a whole.”
Mela however expressed his dismay over what he termed as malicious reports, with the intent of discrediting him, his office and the people he represents, the statement continued: “However, I would like to draw your attention to the false and malicious publications currently circulating on the internet via some online social media platforms.
“In the same vein, I have read with utmost dismay some misleading and misguided headlines that I was purportedly sentenced to imprisonment at a Correctional Center here in the FCT. This (mis)information is a grave misrepresentation of the sentence passed yesterday by the Court.
“While some of the above-mentioned outfits reported that I had earlier deposed to 3 conflicting affidavits pertaining my citizenship status and that I hold a British passport, others said that I have been imprisoned.
“Let me clearly state here that, I do not have a British passport and neither was I imprisoned nor detained at any point in time during and after the trial.
“These are all lies concocted and fabricated by my desperate opponent to discredit me; I urge you to totally discountenance as well as disregard any such false publication(s).”
The lawmaker also called on his constituents to keep faith as he surmounts his political travails and focus on legislative business.
“May I use this medium to further plegde my loyalty to my good people especially in Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency and thank you for your unalloyed as well as unprecedented support. The truth, will at the end of the day prevail over propaganda,” he added.
