Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, yesterday beats anti-robbery police officers, escapes an attempt to arrest him at a high court in Maitama, Abuja.
The federal government had earlier arraigned Melaye for allegedly framing up Edward Onoja, chief of staff of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state.
The senator was accused of deliberately giving false information to the police that Onoja was involved in an attempt to assassinate him.
But the court granted him bail in the sum of N100,000.
The judge, Olasumbo Goodluck, granted Mr. Melaye bail for N100,000 and asked him to produce a surety in the civil service who is on salary grade not lower than level 14.
The judge declined to strike out any of the paragraphs in the charge sheet until the court begins the proper trial.
“The facts relate to the substance of the information before this court, hence it will be preemptive of this court to make any pronouncement on the fact contained in the Paragraph 20, as it may ultimately affect the decision of the court in the substantive determination of the charges before this court,” she said.
“More importantly, the court is of the view that the fact contained in the paragraph are not relevant for the consideration over the application of bail,” she said.
She then adjourned to March 16 and 17 for continuation of trial.
The seige
However, operatives of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) were said to have prevented him from leaving the court premises after he was granted bail.
According to reports, armed operatives were said to be on on guard, waiting to arrest him.
Confirming the siege by the security operatives, Melaye tweeted that he had been prevented from leaving. He alleged that Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state, was after him.
After the court refuse the application of the Federal Government to refuse me bail. Governor Yahaya Bello using SARS and policemen from Kogi State Government house with A O Govt House lokoja have taken over the FCT high Court to arrest and poison me on the way to lokoja. SDM
— Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye) March 1, 2018
The escape
After being trapped inside the court for several hours, Mr. Melaye’s moment of escape according to a source who spoke to TheNewsGuru on anonymity grounds finally came through some of his colleagues who were with him in the court for solidarity reasons.
“Mr. Melaye managed to sneaked out to a waiting sports utility vehicle [Hyundai] and driven away without suspicion from the security aides. The SUV had a senate number plate.”