Crime News
Dino Melaye Freed On 10 Million Naira Bail By Kogi State High Court In Lokoja
Dino Melaye is now a free man.
The embattled senator was this morning granted bail in the sum of N10Million and a surely in like sum.
Melaye, who has been on admission at the National Hospital Abuja, and under police custody, was finally granted bail following his arraignment on allegations bordering on dealing in illegal firearms and other charges, over two weeks ago.
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, in his ruling, stated that health condition of the accused stood as enough reason to grant him bail, adding that the offence alleged is not capital in nature.
He explained that the prosecution failed to show that if granted bail, the accused will jump bail, just has he admitted Melaye on bail of N10 million and a surety in like sum.
According to him:
“The health situation of the 3rd defendant had earlier been admitted by the complainant to be such that they do not have adequate facilities to take care of him is a factor which merits consideration in this case”.
He further stated that as at the time of this application made, the 3rd defendant was at Police Headquarters in Lokoja and the prosecution expressly stated that they had no medical facilities.
Melaye, along with Kabiru Seidu a.k.a Osama and Nuhu Salishu a.k.a Small were arraigned before the Senior Magistrate Court 2 Lokoja, following which he was remanded in police custody under the Inspector General of Police.
The defence counsel, led by Chief Mike Ozokheme (SAN), filed an application for bail at state High Court upon which the leading prosecution counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), challenged it via a counter affidavit praying he be remanded in custody, for fear he might tamper with the course of justice.
Jilo
May 17, 2018 at 1:16 PM
One of the reasons why our justice system is decaying is the action of our custodian of law especially the one shown by this Chief Judge. The Judges in Nigeria have forgotten that their action can change the dynamic face of Nigeria justice system either positively or negatively. Let me draw your attention to the followings, He said the defendant (Dino Melaye) offense is not a capital offense so therefore he is entitle to bail. Well, he is right to some extent but what this Judge failed to realize is, Dino action in this case is tantamount to capital offense because he handed down weapons to hoodlums to go and kill. Even though he did not pulled the trigger by himself, he is as well as guilty as those hired assassins. If those guys are indicted and convicted, Dino must receive the same sentencing.
It also appears to me that this Judge is trying to shield and show sympathy to Dino which is against his professional ethics. It is the responsibility of the Nigerian police to treat Dino in any facility affiliated to the Nigeria Police. Dino should not be treated special because he is a law maker. He should be treated in the same hospital where the armed robbers, kidnappers, ritualists are being treated. If the chosen facility is not good enough for him, then that is his and colleagues in the house fault because they have failed to enact a law to provide better health condition for other Nigerians, let him suffer the consequence.
Fellow Nigerians, it is time to teach these lawbreakers lesson so that they will realize how common citizens feel. Having said this, the 10 million bails bond is reasonable but until this case is fully prosecuted let Dino continue to deal with his issue because he actually did it.