The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Melaye

  • Court orders police to show cause for detaining Melaye

    An Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama on Thursday ordered the police to show cause over it’s continued detention of Sen. Dino Melaye.

    Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, who has been in police custody since Jan. 4, approached the court for enforcement of his fundamental right.

    Justice Yusuf Halilu gave the order after Melaye’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court that his client has been in police custody since Jan. 4 against what the law stipulated.

    “We are talking about the liberty of a citizen not because he is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but a citizen, this is contrary to sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution of Nigeria.

    “If you keep a man for 13 days you have already presumed him guilty, ” he submitted.

    Mr Simon Lough, the respondent counsel, told the court that he only got the motion on notice on Jan. 16, and needed five days according to law to reply.

    He added that he was and not aware of the order to show cause.

    He said though Melaye was in the police custody, he as the counsel, does not have the power to effect his investigation which was ongoing, preparatory to charging him to court.

    Lough therefore prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him file and serve his reply before Jan. 18.

    The judge explained that the police was put on notice to come and show cause why the detained senator should not be granted bail.

    “The court was approached by the police for his custody and the court granted it, and now the court ordered that the police should come and explain why he would not be released.

    Read Also: DSS denies abducting Melaye

    “I granted an order on Jan. 14, that the police should come and show cause,’’ the judge said.

    He, however, adjourned hearing till Jan. 18, to enable the respondent file his reply on the applicant.

    Both parties agreed to the application for adjournment prayed by the respondent.

    The judge further ordered the respondent to serve the applicant all the processes today.

  • Police relocate Melaye to DSS clinic

    MASKED policemen yesterday stormed the Abuja hospital where detained Senator Dino Melaye was receiving treatment and took him away in a security vehicle.

    This came seven days after Melaye surrendered to the police,slumped soon afterwards, and was  taken to the hospital for medical attention.

    Apprehension soon spread about the fate of the senator after he was taken away yesterday by the masked policemen.

    But the police later cleared the air on the situation and said he was merely relocated to the Department of State Security (DSS) as part of preliminary arrangements for his coming trial in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

    Police spokesman, Mr.Moshood Jimoh, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, told The Nation that Melaye was transferred to the DSS medical facility.

    He said that contrary to claims by Melaye that he was ill, the police medical team found nothing wrong with his health that could delay his trial in Lokoja.

    He said: “On the 9 th   of January, 2019 we got a high court remand warrant to keep him in police custody for 14 days.

    “The police medical team at our facility examined him and concluded that he was okay to stand trial but he is insisting that he is not okay; that is why we are taking him to another government hospital.

    “He has been taken to the DSS hospital and he will be returned to us after their medical examination because he does not have any case with SSS. He has a case with the police and we are going to take him to court within the period covered by the remand warrant.

    “He will be taken to court within the 14-day period because the remand warrant is from an FCT High Court which gives us the permission to keep him in police custody for 14 days.

    “He was only taken to their (SSS) hospital, he is not in their custody.

    “Our own people have examined him and we want another government hospital to also examine him and give a medical opinion.”

    And reacting last night, to criticisms trailing the police action, Jimoh said it was erroneous for anyone to say that masked men took Senator Melaye away, adding that no matter what, the Senator and other suspects must face prosecution over the alleged shooting of a policeman in Kogi State last year.

    His words: “It is incorrect as reported in some sections of the media that Senator Dino Melaye was moved by masked armed policemen to an undisclosed location and that his whereabout is unknown.

    “The Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.

    “Senator Dino Melaye will be prosecuted along with other suspects on completion of investigation .”

  • Why we took Melaye to DSS, by Police

    Senator Dino Melaye’ temporary relocation to the Department of State Security (DSS) on Friday was part of preliminary arrangements for his coming trial in Lokoja, Kogi state, the Nigeria Police Force has explained.

    Speaking exclusively with The Nation, police spokesman, Moshood Jimoh, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, stated that Melaye was taken by policemen to the medical facilities of the DSS and not their cell or detention facilities.

    He said despite claims by the embattled Senator, the police medical team has been unable to find anything to confirm he has any infirmity that could delay his trial in Lokoja.

    “On the 9th of January, 2019 we got a High Court Remand Warrant to keep him in police custody for fourteen days.

    “The police medical team at our facility examined him and concluded that he was okay to stand trial but he is insisting that he is not okay; that is why we are taking him to another government hospital.

    “He has been taken to the DSS hospital and he will be returned to us after their medical examination because he does not have any case with SSS.

    Read Also: Masked policemen whisk away Senator Dino Melaye

    “He only a case with the police and we are going to take him to court within the period covered by the Remand Warrant.

    “He will be taken to court within the period because the Remand Warrant is from an FCT High court, which gives us the permission to keep him in police custody for 14 days.

    “He was only taken to their (SSS) hospital; he is not in their custody.

    “Our people have examined him and we want another government hospital to also examine him and give a medical opinion.”

    While promising to issue an official statement later on Friday night, the police spokesman also dismissed claims Melaye was taken away from police medical facilities by masked men.

  • Breaking: Masked policemen whisk away Senator Dino Melaye

    Masked men suspected to be police operatives on Friday stormed the Police Clinic in Garki, Abuja and made away with hospitalised Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye.

    Melaye collapsed last week at the police headquarters and was admitted to the police hospital.

    He was reportedly whisked away at about 2:15pm on Friday.

    But Police sources said the operatives that took him over had arrest warrant.

    The sources disclosed he was taken to a DSS clinic for further medical treatment following his complaints of ill-health.

    Details Shortly…

     

  • Police declare Melaye fit for trial

    The Nigeria Police Force has declared the Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye fit to face trial.

    The Police said it arrived at the conclusion after several test conducted on the Senator came out negative adding that it was an indication that the Senator was not medically challenged as he claimed.

    But Melaye urged the police to relocate him to National hospital after three days of treatment at Police hospital in Garki, Abuja.

    Certifying the Senator medically fit for trial, the Police Authority described the Senator’s request and actions so far as Nigerian Home video part 2.

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Police Medical, AIG Kaomi Amadu also faulted Melaye’s claim based on medical record from expert.

    Read Also: Photos: ‘Sick’ Dino unwilling to leave for court

    Senator Melaye, whose Abuja residence was under siege for eight days surrendered to Police operatives at the weekend amidst drama which landed him in the hospital.

    The senator is wanted by the Police for a case of Criminal Conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when him and his armed thugs allegedly attacked Police personnel; shot and wounded Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

  • Photos: ‘Sick’ Dino unwilling to leave for court

    Senator Dino Melaye(Kogi West), who surrendered to the Police authorities after a seven-day standoff, on Monday refused to leave his hospital bed for appearance in a Lokoja court over charges of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide.

    The Police alleged the controversial Melaye committed the offences on 19th July 2018 with his armed thugs who attacked Police personnel, shot and wounded SGT Danjuma Saliu on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

    Melaye fainted on Friday in front of the waiting police team.

    He was revived of a suspected asthma attack before being taken to a Police hospital.

    When Police operatives arrived to pick Melaye, who has been in custody at a Police hospital, he claimed he was sick and unable to stand up.

    Details later

     

    Read Also: Drama as Melaye surrenders to Police

  • NHRC asks IGP to end police’s siege on Melaye’s house

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has faulted the continued siege on the Abuja home of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    A statement issued on Friday by NHRC’s spokesman, Lambart Oparah, quoted the commission’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu as arguing that the method adopted by the police violated the rights of other occupants of the house.

    The NHRC urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to direct the immediate withdrawal of his men from the Senator’s house.

    The NHRC said it will continue to condemn acts of impunity by law enforcement agents until they learn to carry out their law enforcement duties within minimum accepted international standards of law enforcement.

    The commission added that it will not tolerate any form of impunity, particularly from the security agencies as we approach the elections.

    Part of the statement reads: “The NHRC condemns in strong terms the method adopted by the Nigerian Police in laying siege in the house of Senator Dino Melaye and calls on the Inspector General of Police to direct the immediate withdrawal of his men from the Senator’s house.

    “Executive Secretary NHRC Tony Ojukwu faults the methodology adopted by the Police in effecting the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye.

    Read Also: Partake actively in politics, Lawmaker urges women

    “The right to freedom of movement of occupants of the house have been violated consequentially.

    “Is Senator Melaye the only occupant of the house? How about the rest of the family and other people in that house and neighborhood?

    “It is not a matter of whether the doors are locked from inside or outside but the rest of the people are now terrified and unsure of their security due to the siege.

    “Under normal circumstances the Police ought to invite anybody for questioning and not to lay siege in the house thereby threatening infringement of the right of others.”

  • Surrender yourself to police, Buhari’s group tells Melaye

    ONE of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s support groups, the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO), has asked the Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, to surrender himself to police operatives and end the siege to his Abuja home.

    The police had been laying siege to the senator’s Maitama home for the past four days in a bid to effect a warrant of arrest for what police spokesman Jimoh Moshood described as a case of “criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide” against the federal lawmaker.

    In a statement signed by its chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and secretary, Cassidy Madueke, the group said surrendering himself to the police operatives would be the best way to end the siege that is capable of sending wrong signals about the political elite to the local and international observers.

    “For starters, as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Melaye swore to an oath to uphold the laws of the land, but for more than five months, he has failed to honour an invitation over the alleged shooting of an on-duty police officer, Sergeant Danjuma Saliu, by some armed men in his convoy on July 19, 2018 in Kogi State.

    “This is in spite of pledging on national television few days after the incident that he would show up at the state police command to show that their account was ‘false and illogical’.

    “In that interview, the senator insisted that the police account was wrong and in fact, accused the police of shooting at his convoy of 20 vehicles on his way to a scheduled event.

    “It is sad that at a time that Nigerians expect Melaye to show a good example, he has opted to play up religious sentiment by quoting a passage in the Holy Bible that has nothing to do with the situation at hand.

    “The issue at stake is the near-fatal shooting of a police operative by men who were said to be in his convoy. So, there is enough reason for him to clear his name as a Federal lawmaker.”

     

  • Melaye: Police justify siege to Malaye’s house

    The police insisted yesterday on Senator Dino Melaye’s arrest, saying they have a warrant to hold him.

    Besides, the siege to his  Abuja home will remain until the lawmaker surrenders himself.

    The police faulted claims by Senate President Bukola Saraki that the police did not submit a letter inviting Melaye to the National Assembly Clerk.

    Melaye is wanted for criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide said to have been committed on July 19, 2018.

    On the date, the police accused Melaye and his armed thugs of attacking police personnel; shooting and wounding Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on a stop and search duty on Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.

    Force spokesman Jimoh Moshood, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, said the siege was a worldwide practice to ensure wanted criminals are arrested.

    Moshood showed copies of a letter of invitation sent to the National Assembly Clerk, the medical report of the injured police officer and the pictures of the officer to serve as proof.

    The letter to the clerk was dated July 23, 2018 and it was signed by Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Ali Janga.

    The letter was received on July 23, 2018 by the office of the  Clerk of the National Assembly.

    The letter reads in part: “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide reported against Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West.

    “You are kindly requested to inform the said Senator Melaye to report to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command through the undersigned on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 1100hrs to assist police investigation.”

    The medical report of the injured police officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, from the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, was signed on July 31, 2018 by Dr. Aduloju F.A.  on behalf of the consultant-in-charge of Cardiothoracic  Surgery Unit.

    On Saraki’s claim, the police said: “The claim by the Senate President in the media that the police did not submit a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly is, therefore, incorrect, as can be seen on attached letter with acknowledgment stamp of the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja ‘July 24, 2018’. Despite this, Melaye bluntly refused to report himself to the Police till date.”

    Read also: Police fault Saraki on Melaye’s arrest

    Moshood said the police officer was yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.

    The police said they would ensure a thorough investigation into the matter for the rule of law to prevail, adding that no suspect, no matter how highly placed, involved in any criminal matter will escape justice.

    On why it took several months to attempt Melaye’s arrest, Moshood said: “The incident happened on July 19 and we sent a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly on the 23rd and it was acknowledged on the 24th.

    “The investigation police officer that dispatched the letter was present when the Clerk handed over the letter to Senator Dino Melaye and since then, we have been out to get him arrested.

    “Seeing the presence of police at his residence does not mean we just started. He has been evading police arrest and we have been able to narrow him down to his residence and those there will not retreat until he surrenders himself for arrest because nobody is above the law.

    “We call on the public and the media to prevail on him to see reasons to surrender because the law must be obeyed.”

    On why the police decided to lay siege to Melaye’s residence,  Moshood said: “It is worldwide practice. Even in other climes, police vehicles are used to cordon off the premises and sometimes, they even use helicopter to do surveillance to track down wanted criminals.

  • IG denies ordering Melaye’s arrest

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris has denied ordering his personnel to arrest and inject Senator Dino Melaye.

     

    The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district in the National Assembly had in a statement credited to him alleged that the IG plans to arrest and inject him to death.

     

    Reacting to the allegation, the Force Spokesman, Ag. DCP Jimoh Moshood in  a statement in Abuja said the Force sees the statement by Melaye as untrue, ridiculous, mischievous and unfortunate.

     

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a statement in some sections of the media credited to a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, captioned “IG plans to arrest me, inject me to death”.

    “The Force is categorically stating that the statement is mischievous, malicious, capable of misleading the public and laughable, there was no such order from the Inspector General of Police or any plan by the Force to arrest Senator Dino Melaye and inject him to death but if the Senator knows he had committed any crime or he is aware of his involvement in any crime, he should come out and confess and face the legal consequences instead of whipping up sentiments to distract the public.

     

    “The Force sees such defamatory, mischievous, malicious and reckless statement by Senator Dino Melaye as untrue, ridiculous, mischievous and unfortunate.”

     

    On the implication of the statement, the Police said: “Senator Dino Melaye is hereby called upon to know that his statement constitutes a criminal defamatory offence, hate speech and hateful conduct.

     

    “He should however as a lawmaker be law abiding and desist from un-senatorial and lawless utterances that cannot be substantiated with facts.”

     

    The IG also said he will not be distracted by statements from the likes of Senator Dino Melaye but will continue to ensure that the rule of law prevails in all matters.

     

    He also urged members of the public to disregard the statement by Senator Dino Melaye in its entirety as untrue and mischievous.