FG Arraigns Melaye over Allegations of Attempted Suicide

                                 As court admits him to N5m bail

Senator Dino Melaye

The federal government on Wednesday arraigned Senator Dino Melaye before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on a six-count charge bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage of police property.

The offences, according to the federal government, contravenes provisions of Sections 148, 153, 173, 231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.The counsel to the federal government, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), had told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on April 24.

Izinyon alleged that Melaye, while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, forced his way out and escaped.

The prosecution claimed that the defendant, after jumping out of the vehicle, sat on the ground, holding a substance in one hand threatening to drink it to kill himself, so that he can put the police officers in trouble.

The senior advocate in addition told the court that Melaye broke the glass of the vehicle with his elbow and caused damage to police property.

Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, however pleaded not guilty to the charges when read against him.

Following his not-guilty plea, his counsel moved his bail application, submitting that the offences the defendant are charged with are bailable.

He also informed the court that Melaye is currently on bail granted him by an Abuja Magistrate’s Court over the same matter.

He therefore urged the court to release his client on similar conditions given by the Magistrate’s Court.

The prosecution counsel however urged the court to decline the application, though he admitted that bail is at the discretion of the court.

In a short ruling, Justice Oriji admitted Melaye to bail in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum.

The sureties, who must be directors in the civil service, are to be residents of the FCT, and depose to affidavits of means.

Justice Oriji however hinted that the case file would be forwarded to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court to be assigned to another judge for trial after the vacation period.

Thisday News