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Tag: Melaye

  • Melaye to IGP: I’m not afraid of being investigated

    Embattled Senator Dino Meleye has said he was not afraid of being investigated by the police or any other security agency, but alleged plots by the Kogi state police command to frame him up on trump up charges, arrest, detain and ensure that he is murdered while in detention.

    In a five-page letter to the Inspector General of Police signed by his counsel, Rickey Tarfa, SAN and dated March 20, 2018, the embattled senator wants the police high command to set up a neutral investigation team led by trusted police officers in Abuja to conduct investigations into the issues for which he was being invited to Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.

    Rickey Tarfa said in the letter which was received in the office of the Inspector General of Police on 21st March, 2018 that they were afraid for the safety of the Senator while in Kogi, pointing out that his presence may also lead to a break down of law and order.

    The Nigeria Police Force had threatened to declare Senator Dino Meleye wanted if he fails to appear before a Federal High Court in Lokoja on March 28 to answer criminal charges against him.

    He drew the attention of the Inspector General of Police to an alleged attempt to abduct him at an Abuja High Court on March 1 and his several reports of attempt on his life.

    The letter read in part: “Our client told us that from information made available to him by his supporters, the intension was to abduct him and whisk him to Kogi state where he would be at the complete mercy of the governor and where plans had been perfected and were being implemented to frame him on spurious charges, arrest and detain him and then murder him in prison while he is awaiting trial.

    “It is noteworthy that our client has  severally stated in the media that he is aware of this neferous plan and the involvement of the Kogi state Police Command in implementing same. The sheer number of armed policemen and security personnel deployed from Kogi state on 1st March, 2018 to abduct our client from the FCT High Court premises gives credence to our client’s fear.

    “Sir, as the chief law enforcement officer of the federal republic of Nigeria, we urge that you intervene in this circumstance. It is obvious to our client that there is no plausible reason for him to believe that his personal safety is guaranteed in the hands of the Kogi in state police command.

    “After the court hearing of 1st March, 2018 and the attemot to abduct him, the police had exchanged correspondences with the Senate leadership over an invitation to our client. 

    “It is evident from the letters dated 8th of March, 2018 that our client’s presence in Kogi state right now will put him in a situation where he will be in grave personal danger and which may also lead to a breakdown of law and order going by the antecedents of the governor. The letter therefore advises that the issues in respect of which the invitation was sent be investigated in Abuja.

    “Our client as well as ourselves feel that this would be the reasonable option in the circumstance and suggest that a neutral team be set up by your office to investigate the said issues.

    “Our client is not averse to being investigated as g any charges that maybe brought against him as demonstrated by his going to court himself to accept service of the information in charge no CR/106/18, it fervently wish to  any situation which may lead to break down of law and order or which may involve his being pit in personal danger.”

    The letter said further that “The fact that our client is now the one alleged to be a gun runner by the police in Kogi state is therefore extremely suspicious and with due respect, smacks of a set up.

    “Our client who is abroad on an official trip had it brought to our notice and immediately informed us yesterday about the plan to set him up and frame him on spurious gun running etc charges have been perfected abs that some suspects would be paraded as having named him as their sponsor yesterday. 

    “This is exactly what happened in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital yesterday 19th March, 2018 with a press briefing and parade of suspects by the Force PRO on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “Sir, we urge for your urgent intervention in this matter. As we have states, our client, convinced of his innocence is ready to submit himself for investigation and to answer any charge against his person but by police officers of whose neutrality he is confident in. Police officers from Abuja.

    “Our client, being a prominent serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT,Chairman, Senate Ad HIC committee in Publicity and member of several other Senate  committees will not and cannot run from justice, but balks at being delivered directly into the hands of people who have made public threats against his person.”

  • Police may declare Melaye, Mohammed Audu wanted

    The police threatened yesterday to declare Senator Dino Melaye and Alh. Mohammed Audu wanted should they refuse to comply with an order of the court.

    Melaye and Audu are expected to appear before the Federal High Court, Lokoja on March 28, 2018 to answer to the criminal charges against them.

    The police also said the duo’s refusal to appear will make them seek a Warrant of Arrest for them and declare them wanted throughout the country and on INTERPOL platform.

    Force Spokesman, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, said in a statement yesterday that a suspect,  Kabiru Saidu  a.k.a Osama had confessed to the Police investigative team that Senator Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK47 rifle, two Pump Action guns and the sum of N430,000.00 for him to share with his boys.

    The confession prompted the police to invite the senator for questioning but the police said Melaye and Audu have refused to honour their invitation despite several attempts.

    Moshood said: “Working on actionable intelligence, the Kogi State Police Command personnel and operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad trailed and arrested two suspects, Kabiru Saidu a.k.a Osama “31 YRS” From Dekina LGA but based in Anyagba (Leader of the gang) and Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small  “25 YRS” (a member of the gang), after a gun battle with the Police team that lasted for some hours on the 19th January, 2018 at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    “During investigation, they confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of several kidnappings and armed robbery, murder and other violent crimes in different parts of Kogi State for which they have been on the wanted list of the Police for more than two years now.

    “The gang leader KABIRU SAIDU revealed that he and his gang have been working as a political thug for one Alh. Mohammed Audu a politician in the state and that Alh. Mohammed Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met on Airport road, Abuja inside the Senator Dino Melaye’s car in the month of December, 2017.

    “Saidu further confessed to the Police investigative team that Senator Dino Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK47 rifle, two Pump Action guns and the sum ofN430,000.00 to share with his boys.

    “The Police conducted investigation into the criminal indictment against Sen. Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu and discovered that the two (2) of them have case to answer.

    “The two suspects namely; KABIRU SAIDU a.k.a OSAMA and NUHU SALISU a.k.a SMALL were paraded at the Kogi State Command Headquarters, Lokoja on 19th March, 2018.”

    The statement further reads: “It will be recalled that consequent on the confession of criminal offences indicting Senator Dino Melaye by the principal suspect KABIRU SAIDU  a.k.a OSAMA “31 YRS”, The Nigeria Police Force, sent a letter of investigation activities/invitation dated 2nd March, 2018 addressed to the Senate President, Federal Republic of Nigeria informing and requesting him to release Senator Dino Melaye to report to Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command on the 7th March, 2018 to answer  to criminal offences of Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of  Prohibited Firearms levelled against him, this is to enable the Police Investigation Team carryout a discreet and thorough investigation into the case. But Senator Dino Melaye refused to honour the Police invitation.

    “Based on evidence gathered so far in the matter, a case of Criminal Conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms was filed by the Nigeria Police Force at Federal High Court Lokoja on 16th March, 2018 against the two principal suspects; Kabiru Saidu  a.k.a Osama, Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small; Senator Dino Melaye and Alh. Mohammed Audu. But Senator Dino Melaye and Alh. Mohammed Audu refused to appear in court on Tuesday, 20th March, 2018 when the trial was supposed to commence.

     

     

     

  • Police may declare Melaye wanted over criminal charges

    The Nigeria Police Force said on Saturday it may declare the Senator representing Kogi West in the upper legislative chamber, Dino Melaye and Alhaji Mohammed Audu wanted if they refuse to comply with the court’s order.

    Melaye and Audu are expected to appear before the Federal High Court, Lokoja, on March 28 to answer criminal charges against them.

    The police also said the duo refusal to appear in court would force it obtain warrant of arrest for their arrest or declare them wanted throughout the country and on INTERPOL platform.

    The Force Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, disclosed these in a statement in Abuja.

    A political thug, Kabiru Saidu  a.k.a Osama, had confessed to the police investigative team that Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK47 rifle, two Pump Action guns and the sum of N430,000.00 for him to share with his boys.

    The confession led the police to invite Melaye for questioning but the police said the senator and Audu have refused to honour its invitation despite several attempts to make them to before the force investigating team.

    Giving update of the investigation, Moshood said the indictment of both politicians has led the Force to invite them for questioning.

    He said: “Working on actionable intelligence, the Kogi State Police Command personnel and operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad trailed and arrested two suspects – Kabiru Saidu a.k.a Osama, 31, From Dekina local government area of Kogi State but based in Anyagba (Leader of the gang) and Nuhu Salisu a.k.a Small, 25, (a member of the gang), after a gun battle with the police team that lasted for some hours on the 19th January, 2018 at Ogojueje in Dekina LGA.

    “During investigation, they confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the commission of several kidnappings and armed robbery, murder and other violent crimes in different parts of Kogi State for which they have been on the wanted list of the police for more than two years now.

    “The gang leader Kabiru Saidu revealed that he and his gang had been working as a political thug for one Alhaji Mohammed Audu, a politician in the state and that Alhaji Mohammed Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met on Airport Road, Abuja, inside the Senator Dino Melaye’s Car in December 2017.

    “Saidu further confessed to the police investigative team that Senator Dino Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK47 rifle, two Pump Action guns and the sum of N430,000.00 to share with his boys.

    “The police conducted investigation into the criminal indictments against Melaye and Mohammed Audu and discovered that two of them have case to answer.”

     

     

  • Melaye is a noise-maker, says Bello

    KOGI State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday reacted to a video of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), saying the lawmaker “is a noise-maker”, who cannot distract him.

    Melaye released a video on the Instagram, in which he was seen singing, dancing and mocking the governor.

    Bello, who spoke with State House correspondents on the sidelines of the expended National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, claimed that he had not seen the video as he was too busy to listen to a noise-maker.

    Bello said: “I don’t know there is any such video from anybody; I am not aware. Maybe, you may tell me what the video is all about. I am not aware if there is any such video.

    “You see, Kogi State is a very complex state and I took it over when things were really bad and I am doing my best to ensure that we give quality service to the good people of Kogi State.

    “So, any noise-maker out there is just disturbing himself. So, I just focused on the job as the executive governor of Kogi State and I am doing my best and the people of Kogi State really appreciate my services to them.”

    On the attack in Kogi, he said: “It was a very pathetic situation where about 12 people were killed and I visited that place. It is a place that was neglected by their own people and it was unfortunate that that incident happened and we have constituted Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the immediate and remote cause of that attack because this is not the first time that an attack is happening in that particular area.

    “In 2014, it happened where lives and property were destroyed but thank God with the support of the military, police and other security agencies were able to quickly move into action and then that particular incident had been stopped.

    “As we speak, arrests are being made and investigations are on and by the time the Judicial Panel of Inquiry comes up with its own findings and recommendations, l am sure there will be a lasting solution to that crisis.”

    On Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) allegation that the rescued Dapchi girls is an arrangement, Bello said: “I think Nigerians are happy with Mr. President for the good job that he is doing for being proactive and for the quick response by the military and other security agencies in rescuing our Dapchi girls. I think it is a good job that they have done and I really congratulate Mr. President, I congratulate the APC, I congratulate the government and good people of Yobe State, I congratulate the girls and their parents and I congratulate Nigerians.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Melaye gave us three guns, N430,000 cash, says suspect

    The Police have charged Senator Dino Melaye and three others with criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms before a Federal High Court in Lokoja.

    Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood, an assistant commissioner of police, told reporters in Lokoja yesterday that the case was filed on March 16, following the confession of a “wanted criminal”  that the senator gave him arms and cash.

    Moshood said the senator failed to cooperate with the police investigators having failed to report for questioning even after the Police wrote to Senate President Bukola Saraki seeking the release of the senator to answer to the allegations.

    Melaye who is battling to retain his senate seat, last week lost his bid to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with his recall at the Court of Appeal

    The suspects, Kabiru Saidu, a.k.a Osama (31), Nuhu Salisu (25 ) aka small, and Alhaji Muhammed Audu, a politician, who is now at large, are charged along with Melaye, who is representing Kogi West.

    The Police said Kabiru and Salisu were arrested on January 19 at Ogojueje in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, after a shootout and they confessed to being hired by Melaye to cause mayhem in the state.

    The police said they seized from the thugs and their gang members, two AK47 rifles, five pump action guns, two locally made pistols and heaps of charms.

    According to the police, the men not only confessed to have been involved in several kidnappings in the state and environs, they also claimed to be hired thugs for politicians.

    “According to the gang leader, Osama, he had been working as a political thug for Alhaji Mohammed Audu .

    “ He said Alhaji Mohammed Audu invited him to Abuja and introduced him to Senator Dino Melaye and they met on Airport road, Abuja inside Senator Melaye’s car in the month of December, 2017.

    “The suspect further confessed that Sen. Dino Melaye told him that they should start working for him as his political thugs and they should recruit and train other thugs to work for him in preparation for the 2019 general elections to enable him ( Sen. Dino Melaye ) challenge his political opponents and disorganise Kogi State.”

    The police said Osama also confessed that Melaye handed over a bag containing one AK47 rifle, two Pump Action guns and the N430,000.00 to share with his boys.

    Senator Melaye however described the allegations against him as framed-up and an orchestrated attempt by the Kogi state government to discredit him.

    He said he had never set eyes on the suspects in his life.

    He described the move an attempt by the Kogi State government to shut him up.

    He said: “This is an attempt to shut me up and stop me from speaking the truth, but they have failed. It is an orchestrated lie by the governor and the police. I have tweeted about six weeks ago that they want to set me up because I got information from the Government House when they met to set me up

    “You can see the conflicting statements by the criminals. I heard one said I gave two AK47 and pump action, while the other said I gave only one rifle and that I gave N430,000 to train militia and that I met them on Airport Road, in December 2017, but they didn’t give a date and time.”

  • Senate summons Monguno, Malami over plan to outlaw vigilante in Kogi

    The Senate on Wednesday summoned the National Security Adviser, Maj. General Babagana Monguno (retd)  and the Attorney General of the Federal (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over plan to disband vigilante group in Kogi State.

    The Senate mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to invite Monguno and Malami to explain the reasons behind the plan to outlaw vigilante group in Kogi State.

    A similar proposal to disband vigilante group in Rivers State failed after Senate President, Bukola Saraki put the proposal to vote.

    The resolution to disband vigilante group in Kogi State followed a motion of national urgent importance presented by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    Melaye in his lead debate claimed that the Kogi State Government was planning to introduce state police in the state through the back door.

    He said: “I bring to the Senate a law passed by Kogi and signed into law by the governor about the establishment service.

    “Mr. President, I heard that it is a law of the government and when I went through this law, the law is in conflict with the constitution of Nigeria. This law alters the Nigeria Police Force as stipulated in section 214 of the constitution.

    “It is a fact that states can make laws through the State House of Assembly. But the law they make must not be in conflict with the constitution. I seek your indulgence to read a section of the law passed by Kogi State Government it reads: “The vigilante group will be involved in the prevention and detection of crimes, apprehension of criminals, preserving law and order, protection of lives and property and will assist other paramilitary agencies in the discharge of their duty.”

     

     

  • Arewa youths accuse Melaye of impersonation

    Arewa youths accuse Melaye of impersonation

    Leadership of the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has accused Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) of impersonating the group and using it for criminal activity.

    The group said it has summoned an emergency meeting of its executives to consider a legal action against the Senator.

    According to AYA, a photo banner, apparently working against constituted authority, was posted on Melaye’s Facebook wall, using AYA’s name.

    A statement by the speaker, Muhammed Salihu, said: “The photo banner, which read “Malami Shame on you”; “GYB Big Shame on You”, which was allegedly sponsored by the Arewa Youth Assembly.

    “We never supported any act of criminality, most especially from whom the younger generation of the North view as being disrespectful to constituted authorities.

    “Senator Dino Malaye has continued to make mockery of our respected Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. While we view this as a deliberate attempt to drag our organisation into unnecessary blind support, insult respectable members of the Federal Executive Council and a governor, we wish to distance ourselves and our organisation, the Arewa Youth Assembly, from this criminal act of impersonation.

    “It is very shameful for a Senator to resolve to hiring thugs for promoting and inculcating unethical behaviours in youths who are supposed to learn from him. Respect for elders and authorities is a pride to an Arewa Youth.

    “This act of criminality and disrespect is an abuse on the collective interest of the Arewa Youths. We condemn this in all ramifications.

    “We, therefore, urge the public to disregard the banner and pray that God will erase such elements from the seat of power in 2019.”

    Salihu added: “The Arewa Youth Assembly leadership has called for an emergency executive meeting to address the issue and possibly institute a legal action on both the impostors and the propagator of the information.”

  • Senate, AGF in fresh feud over NHRC chief

    Senate, AGF in fresh feud over NHRC chief

    The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged resumption of the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission {NHRC}, Anthony Ojukwu, without confirmation.

    The Senate mandate follows a Point of Order raised by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), drawing attention of the upper chamber to the alleged resumption of NHRC boss without its approval.

    Melaye told the Senate that he heard that the Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, allegedly ordered Ojukwu to resume office in contravention of the Civil Service Rules and the Act establishing the Commission.

    Melaye insisted that Malami’s action was an affront on the authority of the Senate.

    He noted that it was not the first time the AGF would call the bluff of the Senate.

    The Kogi West senator asked the Senate to henceforth disqualify nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari who resume office without confirmation.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, directed Committee on Justice, Human Rights and Legal Matters chaired by Senator David Umaru (Niger East) to quickly look into the matter with a view to verifying the authenticity or otherwise of the allegations against the AGF.

    The Senate said that it would not take it lightly the growing penchant of the President’s nominees to resume office without its confirmation.

    It asked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to ensure that the growing disregard of Senate powers does not become the norm.

     

  • Melaye: Absence of prosecutor stalls hearing of assassination suit

    Melaye: Absence of prosecutor stalls hearing of assassination suit

    The absence of the prosecutor in the trial of the sole administrator of Ijumu LGA, Taofiq Isa and five others for the alleged assassination attempt on the member representing Kogi West at the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, was on Monday stalled, following the absence of the prosecutor, at the resumed hearing on Monday, in Lokoja.

    The case was reassigned to Justice Fola Ajayi, following the death of the trial judge, Justice Arome Akogun, last year December.

    Following the adjourment of the case, Justice Ajayi informed the counsels that trial will start de novo (afresh) from the next adjournment, fixed for 5th March, 2018.

    “The ultimate… is to get justice and in that, we are in the same page”, he said.

    The police in Abuja had shortly after the alleged attempt on Melaye’s life, in March 2017, paraded the Ijumu LG boss and five others alleged accomplices, following which they were arraigned for the offence, at the Federal High Court, Lokoja.

    The late trial judge, Justice Arome Akogun, had last adjourned the case to 13th and 14th of February 2018, for the submission of addresses.

  • FG charges Melaye for false information

    FG charges Melaye for false information

    • Accuses him of making false claim against Kogi governor’s aide

    The federal government has filed a two-count charge against Senator Dino Melaye for allegedly giving false information to the police in relation to claim in April 17 of an attempt on his life.

    The charge marked: CR/106/18 was filed on January 31 this year before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    Melaye is, in the charge, accused of falsely incriminating the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Edward Onoja David, in his assassination attempt claim.

    Melaye, who is the Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, was accused, in count one,  of deliberately giving false information to the police to frame Governor Bello’s Chief of Staff  as the mastermind of the assassination attempt on him at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede in Kogi State in April last year.

    According to the charge, the police discovered the alleged falsehood in Melaye’s claim while investigating the Senator’s allegation that some individuals attempted to assassinate him.

    In the second count, Melaye was accused of making false statement of facts in a phone conversation with Mr. Mohammed Abudu Abubakar, a son of the late former governor of Kogi State Abubakar Audu, with the intention of harming the reputation of David.

    In the charge, Melaye’s alleged offences are said to be punishable under sections 140 and 393 of the Peal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

    The first of the two counts read, “That you, Senator Dino Melaye, male, of the Senate, National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, on or about the month of April 2017 at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court in the cause of an investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on you, sometimes in April 2017, you gave information to the police stating that one Mr. Edward Onoja David (Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State) did mastermind the attack with intent to convict him for the offence which statement you either knew or believe to be false and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 140 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.”

    Melaye was said to have told Abubakar, son of a former Kogi State Governor, in a telephone conversation how he framed Edward Onoja David in the assassination attempt.

    He was also said to have made the false claim in the statement he made to the police on April 17, 2017 during police’s investigation into the alleged attempt to assassinate him. No date is set yet for his arraignment.