The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Melaye

  • MELAYE: POLICE ARREST KOGI LG CHAIR, 5 OTHERS

    MELAYE: POLICE ARREST KOGI LG CHAIR, 5 OTHERS

    •Senator stage managed attack, suspect alleges

    The police yesterday paraded the local government chairman of Ijumu, an ex-policeman and four others for allegedly attempting to kill Senator Dino Melaye

    The Senator’s residence was attacked by unknown gunmen at Iyara, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State on 15th April at about 0030hrs.

    One of the suspects paraded admitted to reporters he informed police operatives about the gang and its activities.

    To avoid suspicion, the police said the gang conveyed its members in an ambulance with the inscription General Hospital Iyara to the Senator’s residence.

    Those paraded are: 54-year-old chairman of Ijumu, Taofiq Isah ; Ade Obage, 29; Abdullahi Isah aka Eko, 32; Ahmed Ajayi, 45; Michael Bamidele26 and ex- Sgt Ede James, the 35-year-old orderly to the chairman at the time of the attack.

    The police also revealed that other suspects linked to the operation are still at large.

    They include  Abdulmumini  aka Iron; Osama  (SNU); Lukman aka General/Commander, China aka Lie down flat and Adamu Aloha according to the police.

    Items recovered from them include one ambulance Hyundai bus, five AK 47 rifles, one Berreta pistol,  two locally- made single barrel shot gun, 25 expended shells of 7.62 mm ammunition, 13 expended shells of 9mm ammunition and twelve expended shells gauge cartridge

    The police also displayed certificate of the ballistic expert examination, test and analysis carried out at the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Lagos.

    Pictures from the scene of the attack were also revealed to reporters.

    Some of the pictures showed several bullet holes on walls and cars.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, the Force Spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood highlighted the various roles played in the failed assassination of Melaye.

    He said: “Taofiq Isah, according to the investigation so far, is the mastermind of the executed attempted assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye.

    “He was alleged to have directed one Abdulmumini aka Iron, now at large (who was said to be his Personal Assistant) and who in turn recruited other members of the vicious and notorious hired assassins’ gang.

    “Ade Obage voluntarily informed the Police that he has the knowledge and information about the attempted assassination/murder attack of Senator Dino Melaye after the attack was carried out.

    “He further informed the investigators that he was contacted to join the gang by Abdullahi Eko a principal suspect now in Police custody.

    “Abdullahi aka Eko, a native of Adavi town in Adavi LGA of Kogi State was arrested and he confessed to the crime and admitted to the criminal roles he played along with the other suspects in carrying out the attempted assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye.”

    On the role played by the dismissed policeman, Moshood said: “Ex- Sgt Ede James is the police orderly to the principal suspect whose phone was used for communication for the planning of the failed assassination/murder of Senator Dino Melaye.

    “He was arrested with a serious criminal link to another principal suspect Abdullahi aka Eko who is an active member of the gang.”

    But Isah said the whole attack was stage managed.

    He admitted having political issue with Melaye but denied involvement in the attack.

    According to him: “This is a stage managed show. This interrogation has been on for long and when they brought me here today, I thought they wanted to take my statement again because I have written over seven statements since the commencement of the case.

    I have never seen the suspects paraded with me. There is so many political situations going on around in Kogi State and you can see that most of the people involved are Ebira people.

    “They have problems linked to the political situation in Kogi State.

    “This is just blackmail against the people of Kogi. I was shocked that I was linked to this because I am the Chief Security Officer of Ijumu LGA and the ALGON chairman of Kogi State. I will never involve myself in this kind of shabby deal.”

    On the allegation that the ambulance was found in his house, he said: “I was called when I travelled to Ilorin for APC membership registration and we went to purchase some items for the registration but I was called that my uncle was sick.

    “I told them that they should use the ambulance to take him to the hospital because he was an old and needed to undergo surgery. Before I returned, they did the operation but my uncle still died.”

    Isah maintained he had nothing to do with the attack.

    According to him: “It is a charade show because a statement by someone who went to the Commissioner of Police claimed that Dino brought in thugs to the village and he went and lodged them in a hotel.

    “It is the responsibility of the police to balance their investigations. He mentioned four names and the hotel they were lodged but they are yet to be arrested. This is a planned work.”

  • Reps condemn ‘assassination’ attempt on Melaye

    The House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the attack on Senator Dino Melaye in his country home in Kogi State.

    The lawmakers also urged the Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Idris, to apprehend the people involved or connected with the criminal act and prosecute them as required by law.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to a motion brought before the lawmakers by a member, Herman Hembe.

    Hembe while presenting the motion “Senator Dino Melaye arrived his country home at Ayietero Gbedde around 6.00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2017 and around midnight, unknown gunmen stormed the residence and started shooting sporadically at the building and cars in the residence for over an hour.

    “The six police officers attached to Senator Melaye did not engage the gunmen who fired over two hundred rounds of bullets at the residence, and despite several calls to the residence of the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) of Ayietero Gbedde Police Division, the police did not come until the gunmen exhausted themselves and escaped.”

    Hembe said the Kogi State government is yet to make any categorical statement on the incident or condemned the attack.

     

  • Kogi raises the alarm over plans by Melaye -sponsored group to cause public disorder

    The Kogi State government has called on the security operatives to hold Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West at the National Assembly, responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state.

    The government raised the alarm over alleged plans by pro- Melaye elements to destabilize the state. The government said it was crying out “in view of the fact that the arranged pro-Melaye protest sponsored by the senator and scheduled for today (Saturday) in the state will be hijacked, and result to political hostilities and security chaos”.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd.) who said this in Lokoja urged the senator to call his supporters to order, over their planned protest over last week’s reported assassination attempt on the senator.

    He stated that: “It has become imperative to address the nagging political hostilities from certain quarters which is fast snowballing into a serious challenge in the our state. You are all aware of the allegation raised by Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial district that there was an attempt on his life and how the whole incident was almost politicised.

    “The state government welcomes the process of investigation by the Nigeria Police, which is ongoing, to unravel the mystery behind the allegation and ensure the security of all the citizens of the state.

    “However, intelligence report at my disposal indicates plans by some supporters of Senator Dino Melaye to stage a protest at Aiyetoro-Gbedde, in support of the senator on Saturday.

    I am equally aware that some hoodlums and thugs are being recruited within and outside the state to join in the protest. “As much as we do not want the rights of the protesters inhibited, the implications of such a protest in the middle of investigations into the senator’s allegations may be grave, as some hoodlums may hijack the process to foment trouble and disturb public peace”.

    The security adviser said he was equally not unaware that some anti-Melaye group were also drumming up a counter protest of theirs on same day, stressing that these will likely lead to chaos, He said that he had already briefed the commissioner of police and other security agencies on the need to stop any form of protest for or against in Aiyetoro- Gbedde, where Senator Malaya hails from.

    “To this end, we put security agencies and Nigerians on the alert that if there is a protest on Saturday (today) and the peace of the public is disturbed, Senator Dino Melaye should be held responsible and accountable”, he said. Omodara who questioned failure by the senator’s security details to respond during the alleged attack on their principal, took a swipe on the latter for contemplating sponsorship of a protest, when the matter is still being investigated by the police.

    He said, “He reported the case to law enforcement agencies who are currently investigating the incident. Does the senator no longer have faith in the security agencies by urging or supporting some youth to take to the streets in gestapo manner and create an image of insecurity? This is not what the state need now.

    “The people of the state are yearning for development, which the current government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello is providing, and has severally solicited from all stakeholders to join hands and give our people the dividend of democracy.

  • Photos: Melaye at thanksgiving over attack

    Photos: Melaye at thanksgiving over attack

    Dino Melaye’s thanksgiving ceremony in Kogi yesterday

  • Melaye escapes death as gunmen invade his home

    Melaye escapes death as gunmen invade his home

    Senator Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi West) yesterday escaped death by the whiskers as gunmen invaded his house in the early hours at Ayetoro-Gbede in Kogi State.
    It was gathered that the gunmen numbering about ten arrived the house at about midnight through the bush and opened fire from different directions on the house.
    The house was riddled with bullets while two of the vehicles parked in the estate were damaged by the hoodlums.
    Melaye was in his country home at Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area for the Easter holiday at the time of the attack
    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP William Aya that the police received a distress call from the senator at about 1 am and immediately responded.
    He said the hoodlums escaped before the police arrived, thereby making arrest impossible.
    Aya said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wilson Inalegwu had set up an investigation committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to unravel those behind the attack.
    Narrating his ordeal, Melaye said the hoodlums arrived at about midnight and started shooting sporadically at the main building in the compound.
    He said the shooting lasted for almost one hour, adding that apart from the building riddled with bullets, two of his vehicles were damaged.
    According to him: “I got a rousing welcome from Kabba to my home town on Friday and I know it angered the power that is in the state which mobilised for this assassination attempt on my life.
    “At about midnight, we started hearing gunshots. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullet into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth.
    “If I speak the truth, I will die, if I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men, I don’t fear them.
    “I am championing an administrative course. I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred; I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Noting will stop me from coming home.”
    The senator said he suspected Taufiq Isa, the Administrator of Ijumu Local Government to be behind the attack.
    According to him, the attack is most likely due to his incessant verbal attacks on the State Government.
    But Isa, who doubles as the state ALGON chairman, denied any involvement in the attack, saying he had been busy attending to his sick wife.
    He called on Melaye to substantiate his allegation against him.
    According to him: “I have never been a violent man. My running battle with Dino, if any, is because I have asked him to stop vilifying the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
    “Let him (Dino) prove it. I lost my uncle a week ago. I’m still attending to my sick wife and busy supervising the APC re-registration programme.
    “I’m a democrat and law abiding. I challenge Dino to prove his case.”
    Melaye also chided the police for not responding quickly to his distress call.
    He pointed out the house of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the town was a stone thrown from the scene of the attempt on his life.
    “The DPO did not come to my house until three hours later. Even the area Commander in Kabba was not notified until I called the Commissioner of police.
    “I suspect a satanic collaboration between Taufiq Isa and the police in Aiyetoro because the duo held a meeting two days ago.
    “Only God will protect us in this country but definitely not the police,” he said.

  • Finally, Melaye picks ABU certificate

    Finally, Melaye picks ABU certificate

    SENATOR Dino Melaye (Kogi West) has finally collected his certificate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. He released pictures of himself surrounded by students of the institution after collecting the certificate.

    Melaye had been accused of not graduating from the university, but he denied the accusation.

    Ali Ndume (Borno South) had moved a motion that the controversy over Melaye’s certificate be investigated.

    Subsequently, Ibrahim Garba, vice-chancellor of ABU, was invited by the senate committee on ethics and privileges and he exonerated Melaye.

    “From the records, distinguished senator Dino Melaye graduated as Daniel Jonah Melaye during the 3rd semester with a 3rd class degree,” Garba had told the committee.

    Melaye then released a video, which earned him the title ‘Senator Ajekuiya loje’, and also attended the senate plenary session clad in an academic gown.

    Ndume was suspended by the senate for six months for “embarrassing” Melaye and Saraki.

  • Photo: Melaye displays ABU certificate

    Photo: Melaye displays ABU certificate

    Senator Dino Melaye collects ABU certificate
    Senator Dino Melaye collects ABU certificate
  • Melaye graduated with third class in ABU – VC

    Melaye graduated with third class in ABU – VC

    The Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Ibrahim Garba, on Monday told the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition that the senator representing Kogi West in the upper legislative chamber, Dino Melaye, graduated with a third class degree in Geography from the institution in 2000.

    The vice chancellor told the Samuel Anyanwu –led committee that Melaye was a student of the institution with the name Jonah Daniel Melaye.

    Prof. Garba, who was invited to the venue of the hearing before Melaye spoke, was asked by lawmakers if the senator graduated from the institution.

    An online medium, SaharaReporters, had reported last week that Melaye did not graduate from ABU.

    It claimed that the Kogi-born senator allegedly bribed his Head of Department (HOD) to forge his transcript.

     

     

  • Melaye to appear before Senate committee over certificate forgery

    Melaye to appear before Senate committee over certificate forgery

    Senator Dino Melaye is expected to appear before the Senate Ethics Committee later on Monday over alleged certificate forgery.

    An online medium, SaharaReporters, had reported last week that Melaye did not graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU).

    It claimed that the senator representing Kogi West allegedly bribed his Head of Department (HOD)  to forge his transcript.

    Details later…

  • Alleged forgery: Melaye slams N5b suit against Sahara Reporters

    The Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Daniel Melaye, on Thursday instituted N5 billion libel suit against the Sahara Reporters.

    The sponsors of the media platform were also included in the suit.

    Melaye claimed that the Sahara Reporters maligned his reputation with allegations of forgery of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria degree certificate.

    He filed the suit at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Abuja.

    The Senator is demanding the N5 billion as compensation for damages done to his reputation by the alleged libelous publication of the Sahara Reporters.

    In the suit filed by his lawyer, Mr. Marx Ikongbeh, Melaye who is chairman Senate Committee on the FCT is demanding for another sum of N10 million as cost for the court action.

    The plaintiff claimed that he has been exposed to ridicule, odium and his reputation brought down in the eyes of the people by the alleged libelous publication of the online media outfit that he did not graduate from ABU.

    He prayed for an order of the Abuja High Court restraining the media outfit, its agents, servants and privies from further publishing the word being complained against.

    Defendants in the suit are – The Incorporated Trustees of Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Omoyele Sowore, Temitope Olumuyide and Sahara Reporters Media Group Incorporation as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.

    In the statement of claim, the plaintiff claimed that he is a highly visible politician known in Nigeria and globally and ranks high among well-known public office holders currently in Nigeria having served in several capacities especially as a member of the lower and upper chambers of the National Assembly.