Senator Dino Melaye Acquitted of Charges by FCT High Court

 

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, has acquitted former Senator Dino Melaye of charges brought against him by the Federal Government. Melaye, who once represented the Kogi West district in the National Assembly, was discharged of all accusations related to attempted suicide, escaping custody, and damaging police property.

The charges stemmed from an April 24, 2018, incident in which Melaye was accused of attempting to flee police custody while being transported to Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State. The prosecution alleged that he forcibly exited the police vehicle, sat on the ground holding a substance, and threatened to kill himself to create complications for the police. Additionally, he was accused of damaging a Toyota Hiace vehicle owned by the police.

The government claimed that these actions violated several sections of the Penal Code, including provisions against harming public officers and attempting suicide. Melaye, who had been arraigned in court on March 5, 2019, pleaded not guilty to all six charges.

During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses and presented ten exhibits to support its case. However, Melaye's defense, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome, filed a no-case submission, arguing that the charges were unfounded.

Justice Oriji initially ruled in favor of the defense on two counts but ordered Melaye to present his defense on four other charges. In the final ruling delivered on October 7, 2024, Justice Oriji declared that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt on the remaining counts.

"The verdict of the court is that the defendant is not guilty of the charges in counts 1, 3, 4, and 6," Justice Oriji stated, officially discharging and acquitting Senator Dino Melaye of all charges.