Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former senator who represented Kogi West district in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, of the charges brought before him by the Federal Government.
The legal battle began six years ago.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Oriji held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against Melaye in the remaining four counts.
He subsequently discharged and acquitted Melaye, holding that, “The verdict of the court is that the defendant is not guilty of the charges in courts 1,3,4 and 6.
“The defendant, Senator Dino Melaye is discharged and acquitted.”
The Attorney General of the Federation’s Office formally charged Melaye on January 31, 2018. He was accused of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the then-chief of Staff, to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the alleged assassination attempt at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State.
He pleaded not guilty on March 1, 2018.
Again, in July 2018, Melaye accused the Kogi State police command of attempting to kill him.
Melaye was arraigned before the court on March 5, 2019 on a six-count charge bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage of police property.
He was said to have committed the alleged offences on April 24, 2018 while being conveyed by the police to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, as he forced his way out of the vehicle and escaped.
He was further alleged to have broken the glass of the Toyota Hiace in which he was being conveyed to Lokoja with his elbow and caused damage to police property.
These, the prosecution said contravened the provisions of Sections 148,153,173,231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.
Before the prosecution closed it case against the defendant on March 17, 2022, it called five witnesses and tendered 10 exhibits to rove its case against the defendant.
Melaye, through his counsel, Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, however, filed a no-case submission.
Taking to social media platform X on Monday in celebration, Melaye expressed gratitude towards his legal team and emphasised his unwavering faith in divine justice.
“I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just,” he stated.
