On Monday, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, convening in Maitama, Abuja, dismissed and cleared former senator Dino Melaye, who represented Kogi West district in the National Assembly, of all charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
Melaye was charged with six counts, including attempted suicide, attempting to elude custody, and damaging police property, when she appeared in court on March 5, 2019.
It was claimed that on April 24, 2018, while being driven by the police to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, he committed the alleged offences by forcing his way out of the car and making off with it.
He was also accused of causing damage to police property and smashing the window of the Toyota Hiace that was transporting him to Lokoja with his elbow.
The prosecution claimed that they violated the Penal Code’s Sections 148, 153, 173,231, 326, and 327.
Melaye entered a not-guilty plea to the accusation.
Before the prosecution finished its case against the defendant on March 17, 2022, it summoned five witnesses and produced 10 evidence to prove its case against the defendant.
Melaye, however, submitted a no-case statement via Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, his attorney.
On two of the charges against the former senator, namely the threat to harm public officials and the attempt on his life, Justice Oriji sustained his no-case submission and directed him to enter his defence on the remaining four counts.
He then released and acquitted Melaye, stating, “The verdict of the court is that the defendant is not guilty of the charges in courts 1, 3, 4, and 6.”
“The defendant, Senator Dino Melaye is discharged and acquitted.”