A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, on Monday, discharged and acquitted the former senator who represented Kogi West district in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, of the charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji while delivering judgement, cleared Melaye of two charges of providing false information concerning an alleged assassination attempt on his life in 2017.
This legal battle began in February 2018 when Melaye was accused of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the then-chief of Staff, to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the assassination plot.
The initial case regarding the alleged assassination attempt saw delays, including the unfortunate passing of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, the judge overseeing the matter, during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017.
The Attorney General’s Office formally charged Melaye on January 31, 2018, claiming his allegations were unfounded, stemming from an investigation into the supposed assassination attempt at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State.
He pleaded not guilty on March 1, 2018.
Again, in July 2018, Melaye accused the Kogi State police command of attempting to kill him.
He made this accusation in response to claims that his security details had shot at policemen conducting ‘stop and search’ operations in Mopa.
Melaye was also arraigned on March 5, 2019, on a six-count charge bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property.
He was said to have committed the alleged offences on April 24, 2018, while being conveyed by the police to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, as he forced his way out of the vehicle and escaped.
The prosecution alleged that the senator sat on the ground, holding a substance in one hand, threatening to drink same to kill himself so that he could put police officers in trouble.
He was further alleged to have broken the glass of the bus in which he was being conveyed to Lokoja with his elbow and caused damage to police property.
These, the prosecution said, contravened the provisions of Sections 148,153,173,231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.
Melaye also pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Before the prosecution closed its case against the defendant on March 17, 2022, it called five witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits to prove its case against the defendant.
Melaye, through his counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, however, filed a no-case submission.
Delivering judgment, Justice Oriji upheld the former senator’s no-case submission on two of the counts against him: threat to injure public officers and attempt to commit suicide and ordered him to enter his defence on the remaining four counts.
Justice Oriji held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against Melaye in the remaining four counts.
He subsequently discharged and acquitted Melaye, holding that, “The verdict of the court is that the defendant is not guilty of the charges in counts 1,3,4 and 6.
“The defendant, Senator Dino Melaye is discharged and acquitted.”
Taking to social media platform X on Monday to celebrate the verdict, Melaye expressed his gratitude towards his legal team and emphasised his unwavering faith in divine justice.
“I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just,” he stated.
In his post, he also noted, “Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised.”