The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dino Melaye

  • Melaye’s trial: Court faults IGP for ignoring Senate’s invitation

    *Says Idris’ excuse not tenable

     

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has faulted the excuse given by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris for refusing to honour Senate’s invitation over the trial of Senator Dino Melaye.

    Justice John Tsoho, in a judgment on Tuesday, said not only was the IGP’s excuse untenable, the two suits he filed in relation to the Senate’s invitation, amounted to an abuse of court processes.

    The IGP has filed both suits earlier this year to challenge the propriety of the Senate’s insistence that he must honour its invitation in person, and the Senate’s subsequent declaration that he was not fit to occupy public office.

    The Senate had, by a letter dated April 25, 2018, invited the IGP in relation to the alleged inhuman treatment of Melaye, and the incessant killings in many parts of the country, including Benue, Plateau and Kwara states.

    The IGP,who was expected to appear before the Senate the following day, sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) and Commissioner of Police, Kogi State to represent him.

    The Senate refused to grant audience to both men sent by the IGP and insisted that he must appear in person.

    The legislators rescheduled the meeting for May 2 and again directed that the IGP must honour its invitation in person.

    Rather than honour the legislators’ invitation, the IGP filed the first suit on April 30, 2018, through his lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), contending among others, that he was not required, under any known law,to honour every invitation in person.

    The IGP argued that by the Constitution and Police Act, it was within his powers to delegate responsibilities, including directing some of his subordinates to represent him where ever he was invited, more so that his choice of the DIG (Operations) and CP, Kogi State was on the basis that they were conversant with the issues for which he was invited.

    In his judgment on Tuesday, Justice Tsoho upheld the argument by the defendants – the Senate and its President – to the effect that the IGP’s suits were intended at hindering the Senate from performing its constitutional and legitimate responsibilities.

    The judge’s judgment was on one of both suits. He declined to determine the second suit on the grounds that having rendered his opinion on one, he would prefer that another judge hear and determine the second one.

    He returned the filed to the court’s Chief Judge for reassignment to a new judge.

    The judge was of the view that although the IGP could be excused for being unable to honour the first invitation because he accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari on an official trip, there was no justification for his refusal to honour the second invitation.

    Justice Tsoho noted that the IGP, having had knowledge of the Senate’s invitation, his excuse that he could not attend the second invitation because he was on an official trip to Birnin Gwari with the General Officer Commanding was “not tenable”.

    The judge added: “I do not see any harm that would have been caused if the plaintiff honoured the defendants’ invitation.

    “I uphold the defendants’ argument that the plaintiff’s suit is intended to prevent the exercise of the Senate’s legitimate and constitutional responsibility and that it constitutes an abuse of court process.”

    He said the IGP’s contention that it would be subjudice to discuss issues relating to the pending cases against Melaye was not a sufficient reason for him to ignore the invitation by the legislators.

    The judge said the IGP should have honoured the invitation and impress it on the Senate to refrain from deliberating on the matter that was subjudice.

    Justice Tsoho noted that although, from the headings of the two letters of invitation by the Senate, it was clear that the issues to be deliberated upon had to do with a case pending in court, the plaintiff ought to have appeared for the legislative hearing to notify the Senate of the development.

    He said : “In this present case, the plaintiff ought to have appeared before the Senate and sought the Senate to ensure that the nothing is done to change the character of the matter in court.

    “The plaintiff having failed to do so but chose to run to court to file this suit, the suit amounts to an abuse of court process and it is accordingly struck out.”

    The judge proceeded to dismiss the suit.

    The second suit, which the judge returned to the Chief Judge relates to May 9, 2018 declaration by the Senate that the IGP was “an enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria,” following his failure to honour the invitations.

    Read Also: Shehu Sani, Akpabio, Yari, Uduaghan returned unopposed

    The Senate and the House of Representatives, at a subsequent joint session, passed another resolution reaffirming the Senate’s “vote of no confidence” on the IGP.

    In the suit, the IGP argued that the conduct of both the Senate and its President, Saraki, in the proceedings leading to his being declared unfit to hold public office and an enemy of democracy, was borne out of hatred and “undisguised contempt” they allegedly had for him.
    ‎

    He described the Senate’s May 9, 2018 resolution as an unwarranted “penal sanction” and “a legislative judgment” borne out of the alleged hatred and contempt the Senate and Saraki had for him.

    The IGP contended that the conduct of the Senate and its President, Saraki, during the “votes and proceedings” leading to the May 9, 2018 resolution “is palpable of bias, deep rooted prejudice, visible hatred, and undisguised contempt of me.”

  • Crisis in Kogi over senatorial ticket for Dino Melaye

    Fresh crisis has hit the Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the disqualification of some aspirants for the Kogi West senatorial district.

    The affected aspirants have protested to the national leadership of the party.

    They said their disqualification was meant to pave the way for Senator Dino Melaye representing the district in the Senate.

    Some of the disqualified aspirants include Sunday Karimi, a serving member of the House of Representatives; Mr. Clarence Olafemi, a one-time Speaker of the state House of Assembly and former Acting Governor of the state Mr. Henry Ojuola, a two-term member of the state House of Assembly and Mr. Oreniya Salaudeen, former member of the state House of Assembly and former Chairman of Yagba East Local Government in the state.

    In a statement they jointly issued in Abuja yesterday, the politicians accused the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki of masterminding their disqualification.

    According to them, the Senate President was bent on imposing Senator Melaye on the district, despite stiff opposition from the electorate in Kogi West.

    Describing Saraki’s action as cruel and unkind, the aspirants said Melaye, who only defected to the PDP in July, was being favoured to the detriment of members who stood by the party through thick and thin.

    Vowing never to leave the PDP, the aspirants said they have resolved to remain in the party and work against the interest of the PDP in every election that will take place in the Kogi West district.

    They said: “We will not quit the PDP but to stay put and wreck it in the 2019 elections should the leadership fail to do the needful over the injustice now being done to us.

    “We were all disqualified and we appealed the disqualification but nothing changed even after series of protests. But a special panel was raised that eventually cleared us for the primaries.

    “However, to our surprise, other cleared aspirants were issued with clearance certificates, leaving out the four of us from Kogi West senatorial district because of Senator Dino Melaye’s automatic ticket

    “The battle line is drawn from now on, because our people back home are saying no to imposition.

    “They want primaries where they can pick a candidate of their choice and not an imposed candidate that will not be able to come and campaign at home with his people ahead of the election.”

    The disqualified aspirants added: “As for us, we are not leaving PDP for strangers. We will stay within to fight this impunity of the highest order being promoted by Senator Saraki.

    “This is Kogi and not Kwara state and every politics is local. So Saraki cannot come and dictate to us in Kogi who our candidate should be

    “Our message is very clear; we want free, fair and transparent primaries where an acceptable candidate of the people and the party will emerge.

    “Anything short of this, count us and our people out of such a black market arrangement”.

    Karimi, who spoke with reporters in Lokoja, accused Saraki of planning to destroy PDP.

    He said: “The instruction by the Senate President for the four aspirants not to be cleared to contest for the Senate in Kogi West is to pave way for his surrogate, Senator Dino Melaye to emerge without primaries.

    “Kogi West people will reject the Senate President’s overbearing influence. What is happening in PDP is impunity of the highest order.

    “This is ‘wuru wuru’ to the answer. We will stay inside and fight those bent on thwarting the will of the people to submission.

    “We have the grassroots as our support base. The battle line is drawn. For PDP to make progress, truth and justice must prevail.”

    Saraki, through his aide, Olu Onemola, told the aggrieved aspirants to leave him out of their internal politics.

    Onemola, in a statement, said: “The Senate President has been the one championing and advocating transparency, unity and openness in the party.

    “So, what motivation would he have to reverse his stance on these basic principles of democracy in a senatorial election where he is not even on the ballot? None whatsoever.

    “Hence, they need to take it up with the party, using the proper mechanisms, instead of ascribing the blame to the Senate President.

    “In fact, throughout all this, Dr. Saraki has played the role of the arbiter and peace maker. He has since left the National Secretariat of the PDP to handle the issue.”

  • Melaye urges unity among Nigerians

    Sen. Dino Melaye, Kogi West Senatorial District, has urged Nigerians to uphold the unity and peace of the country in spite of their religious, political and ethnicity differences.

    Melaye made the call call at a dinner and reception organised by the Okun Development Initiatives (ODI) and in honour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, and Public Complaints Commissioner, Kogi, Olusuyi Otitoju, on Friday night in Abuja.

    He also advised Okun people not to politicise the virtues that united them.

    “People should not because of bread and butter, Naira and Kobo sell the consciences of our people or politicie Okun land,’’ he said

    Read Also:‘Melaye, others underdeveloped Kogi West’

     

    Melaye commended ODI for the reception and described Ologbondiyan as a “one single Nigerian with multiple competences’’.

    He also said that the emergence of Ologbondiyan as PDP spokesman had given a new face to PDP and Nigerian politics.

    Chief Victoria Awomolo, keynote speaker at the occasion, called for specialised courts to try economic and financial crimes and other corruption cases.

    Awomolo said this would reduce the burden on normal courts and ensure speedy trial of offenders.

    “We also need total overhaul of the security apparatus in the country, beginning from recruitment of more personnel, provision of more advanced facilities and tools to combat crimes.’’

    Reponding, Ologbondiyan commended the group for honouring him, saying the award had encouraged him to do more for the country, urging all to contribute their quota to the development of the nation.

    “For us in Okun land, we were all brought up to speak the truth and to fight injustices wherever we find ourselves.

    “As a people, wherever we find ourselves, we must think and work toward emancipation of our people back home,’’ Ologbondiyan said.

  • Group sues Saraki, others for defecting to PDP

    A rights group, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), has sued Senate President Bukola Saraki and other lawmakers who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It is praying the Federal High Court in Abuja to declare that they are no longer members of the National Assembly by virtue of their defections from the political parties that sponsored their election.

    LEDAP is urging the court to determine whether any lawmaker who defects from the party that sponsored him before the expiration of his term does not automatically lose his seat unless there is a division within the party.

    In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiff said there was “no division in any of the political parties the said defendants defected from”.

    LEDAP further argued there was “no mergers involving any of the parties the defendants defected from”.

    There are 55 defendants in the suit, including Senators Dino Melaye, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Barnabas Gemade, as well as House of Representatives members.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is also named as a defendant in the suit filed by LEDAP National Coordinator Mr Chino Obiagwu.

    The plaintiff’s reliefs are based on section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    Read Also: Saraki: Nigeria is at crossroads

    The section provides: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if, being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected, provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”

    LEDAP, in the suit filed on September 14, is praying the court for an order of mandamus compelling the Deputy Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare the defectors’ seats vacant.

    According to the plaintiff, pursuant to Section 8(2)(d) of the Legislative Houses (Powers And Privileges) Act, it is a criminal offence for any of the defectors to continue sitting in the National Assembly. 

    LEDAP, a non-profit organisation, said the suit is in furtherance of its core mandate of promoting the rule of law, good governance and accountability in Nigeria.

    No date has been fixed for hearing.

  • ‘Dino, others under developed Kogi West for 12 years’

    One of the aspirants seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unseat loquacious Senator Dino Meleye in the red chamber of the National Assembly, Dr. William Toyin Akanle has said that senators produced by the Senatorial district in the last 12 years have done nothing but under develop the area.

    The Senatorial aspirant who is seeking party ticket to represent Kogi West Senatorial District said if given the mandate, he planned to make the constituency a consortium by tapping into its areas of comparative advantage in order to bring development to the people.

    Dr. Akanle who was addressing his supporters after submitting his nomination form said he planned to work closely with other senators to ensure efficient representation for his people as well as propose laws that will engender development.

    He said “I must say it to you, categorically so, that when I get to the Senate, the situation if Kogi West will change . Because you have honoured me by following me here, everything I will do in the Senate will honour God and will honour Kogi West.

    Read Also; Kaduna: El-Rufai invites Chinese experts to revamp textile industries

    “For a very long time the type of people that have been representing us have not been the ones that bring honour to Kogi West. Many of them have promised but they have not redeemed their promises and they want to come again.”
    While asking the people not to allow people who under develop the area to return to power, he said this was the time for Kogi West to move forward, saying “this is the time for us to move forward; we have stagnated for too long. We have remained at the same spot for 12 years, we have to move forward and forward shall we move.

    “I want to assure you that if I realise this aspiration, everyday that I wake up, every thing new that comes into my head, I will do it for the good of Kogi West. I can assure you.”

  • Crisis rocks PDP over automatic tickets for N/Assembly members

    Alleged offer of automatic tickets to serving members of the two chambers of the National Assembly for the 2019 elections, has sparked crisis between the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s intending aspirants across the states.

    The protesters, who stormed the party’s Abuja secretariat on Monday, demanded a level play field for all aspirants through free, fair and transparent primary elections across the states.

    One of the protesting groups from Kogi State said offering automatic tickets to the lawmakers was in clear violation of the Electoral Act, the PDP constitution and the party’s guidelines.

    In an address read by Dr. Halimat Hamzat on behalf of the group, the aspirants insisted that they must be given equal opportunity to be voted for, either through delegates election or direct primaries.

    Dr. Hamzat said the party’s plot offer automatic tickets to the lawmakers was uncovered last week when an aspirant for the  House of Representatives visited the Abuja home of one of the party’s leaders, where he met a serving PDP senator.

    According to Hamzat, the senator was said to have told the aspirant that tickets for all the National Assembly positions had already been allocated to serving members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Read Also: Restructuring: Only N/Assembly has the power – Dogara

    “As if that was not enough, Senator Dino Melaye met with all the members of the seven local governments in Kogi West on Friday and boasted that the issue of senatorial ticket had been settled by the highest organs of the party.

    “Melaye also told them that PDP’s senatorial ticket for Kogi West had already been given to him, even as someone who recently defected to the PDP. This is in total disregard for the interests, eligibility and qualification of other aspirants”, Dr. Hamzat said.

    The group expressed reservations about the possibility of the party leadership conducting free, fair and transparent primaries into the available senatorial and House of Representatives seats.

    The aggrieved aspirants reminded the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus of his often repeated pledge to do away with impunity and imposition of candidates for elections.

    Although none of the national officers of the PDP was ready to speak on the matter yesterday, it was however gathered that offer of automatic tickets was one of the concessions the party made to serving lawmakers that recently defected to the PDP.

    But the aspirants cautioned against the move, urging the party against manipulation of the nomination process to avoid what they described as a looming fragmentation of the PDP across the states.

    “We the aspirants for legislative seats in the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP shall collectively and wholeheartedly work for the interest of the party and any candidate duly nominated through transparent primary election.

    “But should the party proceed with its pre-determined or manipulated primary elections to nominate any candidate, an implosion that would be inimical to the interest of the party might occur”, the aspirants vowed.

  • Dino’s jaw-dropping auto collection

    Senator Dino Melaye’s penchant for both exotic and expensive luxury cars is public knowledge. His garage is home to a collection of both current and rare models, and the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District flaunts them by habitually releasing photographs of his exotic collections on the social media for the viewing pleasure of his followers.

    Senator Melaye shells out big time for his toys and he sure knows how to pamper himself with them. His collection of luxury cars includes a Ferrari, a Bentley, a Rolls Royce, a Lamborghini, a Porsche and a PT Cruiser, among others. With his Rolls Royce estimated to cost $450,000 (N89.5 million), he is one of the country’s biggest car collectors.

  • Ojude-Oba: Saraki preaches unity of Nigerians

    …As Ijebu people mark Ojude Oba carnival in splendour

    Amid a cloudy sky above and a wave of excitements on ground,  Ijebu – Ode, the Ogun State royal town of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, turned aglow with celebrations for the better part of Thursday as the Ijebu sons and daughters celebrated their Ojude Oba annual cultural carnival in glamour and splendour.

    Over 35 age grades – Regberegbes – all dressed in colourful and distinguishing attires to showcase their rich cultural heritage, took turn to pay homage to Oba Adetona after series of rhythmic dance steps round the oval shaped arena of the festival arcade.

    The regberegbes were closely followed in this rite by the dozens of horse riders (Eleshins) and descendants of the town’s baloguns (Ijebu warlords) by noon during which the carnival peaked with an estimated15, 000 people participating even as Dane guns boomed intermittently.

    The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who was the Special guest of honour for this year Ojude Oba and whose arrival was greeted with applause, hailed Ojude Oba as a cultural festival that “fosters unity” among the Ijebus.

    Saraki, whose  entourage include Senators – Dino Melaye (Kogi State), Ben Bruce (Bayelsa State), Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti State), Duro Faseyi (Ekiti State), Buruji Kashamu(Ogun State), Shaba Lafiaji(Kwara State), Sam Anyanwu(Imo State), Saraki’s  media aide, Alh. Olaniyonu Yusuph and more, urged  Nigerians to emulate the Ijebu people, who despite their diversity of faiths,  live and interact harmoniously with one another.

    The Senate president described the over 100 years old festival as a “noble culture” that has continued to serve as a veritable rallying point for all sons and daughters of Ijebu nation.

    He said whenever the issue of “resilience and dynamism of culture” is being discussed, Ojude – Oba readily comes to mind, adding that the festival has continued to grow from strength to strength because of the leadership quality of the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Adetona.

    He noted that it has also become obvious that only quality leadership could engender progress and development such as the type witnessed in Ijebuland.

    Read Also: PDP will win presidential election, boasts Saraki

    He lauded the Awujale whose unifying force, he said, is an  attestation to his good leadership, not only in Ijebu and Ogun state but also in the entire country.

    He described the equestrian touch of the horse riding by the family of horse riders and descendants of the baloguns which was a noticeable feature of the  Ojude Oba carnival as one that depicts the festival’s nobleness.

    According to him, Nigeria should draw strength from her diversity like the Ijebu people and not use her  diversity to create barrier or wedge to national unity and progress.

    He urged Nigerians, particularly leaders, to create programmes that would engenders unity and peaceful co – existence of people.

    “Ojude Oba fosters unity among all Ijebu people, and this is another way in which we as a nation could take a leaf from this festival. Unity is paramount; unity is key. When we are united, we achieve more. When we are united, we record monumental progress.

    “I urge us all, therefore, to pursue more activities that will unite our various peoples. Our diversity is our strength. We must, therefore, continue to initiate programmes that will bring us together and further highlight the fact that we are one and the same.

    “In over a century of Ojude Oba, Ijebu citizens have shown us that unity will always lead to progress, and that there is strength in unity. This is a shining example for us all.

    “When we talk about the resilience and dynamism of culture, Ojude Oba is a case in point. It is always wonderful to see this proud display of culture that you have consistently showcased for over a hundred years.

    I expect that memories of today will linger on in the minds of all who are here, or see the images. The visual feast of the Regberegbes (Age Grades) is already well known and iconic, as they present themselves before Kabiyesi in colourful uniform attires made with creativity and flair, and pray for his continued health and long life.

    Also famous is the equestrian parade by the Baloguns of the Ruling Houses, memorable for its display of a noble tradition. I must admit that this part of the festival holds a special appeal for me, due to its similarity to the Durbar in my part of the country, the latest of which we held in Ilorin just on Thursday.

    In the array of sartorial tradition of this festival, as evident in the impressive attires worn by the various groups, Ojude Oba promotes and reinforces the culture of the people.

    “Indeed, there is much assurance in the knowledge that these activities are in a continuum with the past; they show that we can always draw the best from that glorious past to shore us up for the challenges

    “While Ojude Oba provides a platform for the Ijebus to meet, interact and showcase their cultural heritage, we also know that the significance of the festival goes much deeper. Typically held on the third day after Eid el Kabir, this is a festival that unites the faiths.

    “Despite its origins in Islam, the festival does not exclude any religious groups. I would like to say, with some emphasis, that our dear country, Nigeria, would do well to draw important lessons from an event such as this.

    “We are one. Religion should not constitute a wedge or barrier between us. This is what illustrious Ijebu people demonstrate to us yearly with this festival. Muslims, Christians and others can be found among us here today, and I understand that this is how it has been since the very beginning.

    “This is salutary, and worthy of commendation to Nigeria and the world.  In addition, Ojude Oba affirms that Nigeria’s cultures are veritable sources of revenue, if well packaged. With the return of thousandsof people to their ancestral homes for this festival, and thousands more attending as visitors, the local economy will, without a doubt, get a boost.

    “This is tourism in action. Essentially, domestic tourism is being promoted here, and this is how it should be all over the country. It is therefore necessary for more parts of Nigeria to follow this worthy example, in order to showcase the beauty of our culture to the larger world,” Saraki said.

    In attendance at this year Ojude Oba include the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Yetunde Onanuga, former governor Gbenga Daniel, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Oloori Omooba Subomi Balogun, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Speaker Suraju Adekunbi among others.

  • Plot to reconvene Senate tale by moonlight, says Melaye

    The Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye on Sunday described alleged attempts to reconvene the Senate before the adjourned date as “tale by the moonlight.”

    Melaye also said that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole, should be told there was no crown in the National Assembly for anybody to wear.

    Indications that the Senate might be reconvened before the October 25thadjourned date are growing by the day.

    The “reconvene Senate” proponents call attention to the need to approve the pending Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget for the fast approaching 2019 elections.

    Those opposed to the idea fear that it might be a ploy to unseat the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    Melaye told reporters in Abuja that “the talk to reconvene the Senate amounts to tale by the moonlight, a serious joke.”

    He noted that Senate’s rule 12 is very clear that only presiding officers can reconvene the Senate.

    He said, “We adjourned properly to a date and time. In their myopic thinking they forgot the rules.

    “The rules and proceedings of the last sitting were also approved. By our rules only the Senate President or the Deputy Senate President can reconvene the Senate outside the adjourned date.

    “It is laughable that some people in their myopic and skewed thinking should contemplate that the Senate should be reconvened by just anybody. It will not happen. It is an exercise in futility to impress Mr. President.”

    Melaye who is a frontline supporter of the Senate President added that “whatever is illegal will continue and remain illegal.”

    He recalled that only a few days ago, the Court of Appeal ruled that the National Assembly has the power to set election sequence contrary to the thinking in some quarters.

    On majority in the Senate, he said that the PDP has clear majority in the upper chamber.

    Melaye who insisted that “APC senators are merely grandstanding” noted that APC Senators have visited the Presidential Villa four times in one week as if the Senate chamber has been moved to the Villa.”

    He said that the issue of which party has majority would be settled on resumption of the Senate when seats would be allocated to members with their names and party attached.

    On the call by Oshiomhole that Saraki should return APC’s crown, Melaye said the APC chairman forgot that crowns are wore in towns, villages, communities and kingdoms.

    He said that “nobody wears crown at the National Assembly because the seat of the Senate President is not hereditary.”

    He added that the seat of Senate President is the seat of the Senate President of Nigeria.

    Nigerians, he said, should not forget that the PDP Senators gave the Senate President seat to Saraki and not APC Senators.

    “Nigerians should not also forget that Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, won the seat through democratic means,” he said.

  • Melaye accuses police of not releasing his passport

    The running battle between the Police and Senator Dino Melaye may be far from over.

    Melaye on Friday accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command of refusing to  release his international passport as ordered by the court.

    He said  that on July 25th, 2018, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court ordered the Police to release his international passport to him following “a notice of discontinuance” filed by the prosecution in respect of charge  “No: CR/12/18” against him at  Magistrate Court Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.

    The Kogi West senator claimed that “the fragrant refusal of the Police to comply with the court order” to release his international passport amounts to contempt of court.

    He said that letters his lawyers wrote to the Police to retrieve the passport were not honoured by the FCT Police Command.

    Read Also: I was on top of tree for 11 hours – Melaye

    He noted that apart from the letters, his lawyer also went personally to the Police to retrieve the passport to no avail.

    Melaye who said that the Police earlier set a precedent when they released his passport to enable him go for medical treatment abroad, wondered what made the July 25th, 2018 order difficult for them to comply with.

    He said: “If a law enforcement agency will be the one breaking the law, how do you enforce the law? In a country under the rule of law, if an order of the court is given release this man’s passport, why would the court order not be obeyed. This buttresses the fact that the Police is still after me.

    “Since April 22nd, 2018 the Police withdrew my orderly. No politician has been so humiliated the way and manner I have been humiliated. The Police is still looking for me to arrest me over what I don’t know.

    “I want to restate that the Police can only kill and injure the flesh, they cannot kill the spirit. I remain strong.”