by Nurat Uthman
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court if the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, discharged and acquitted the former senator who represented Kogi West district in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, of the charges brought before him before the court by the Federal Government.
Melaye was arraigned before the court on March 5, 2019 on a six-count charge bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage of 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 can put police officers in trouble.
He was further alleged to have broken the glass of the Toyota Hiace 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, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Before the prosecution closed it case against the defendant on March 17, 2022, it called five witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits to rove its case against the defendant.
Melaye, through his counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, however, filed a no-case submission.
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 entered his defence on the remaining four counts.
Delivering judgment on Monday, 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 courts 1,3,4 and 6.
“The defendant, Senator Dino Melaye is discharged and acquitted.”
