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| Senator Dino Melaye |
In view of the circumstances following the escape from custody of six suspects involved in the arms case against Senator Dino Melaye, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday ordered the immediate removal of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga.
Also, Senator Melaye has threatened to sue the IG, if he failed to produce the two main suspects in his gun-running trial by the police within 48 hours.
The lawmaker, who is representing Kogi West Senatorial District, issued the threat at the plenary on Wednesday.
The embattled senator raised a point of order to inform the Senate that the suspects had escaped from custody ahead of his (lawmaker’s) arraignment before a court in Kogi State on Wednesday.
Melaye said he had already informed his lawyers on the legal action against the police.
The lawmaker said, “The two suspects in my case who said I gave them guns and money; this morning, there was a reported case in Lokoja of a jailbreak at 5am and the two suspects have escaped.
“We were all supposed to appear before the Lokoja High Court this morning. Lo and behold, my lawyers were in court by 9am and the case was called, and the prosecutor of the Nigeria Police could not produce the two accused persons.
“Instead of producing the two accused persons, they asked the judge to issue a bench warrant for my arrest. But the judge refused to grant their prayer. The judge said despite the fact that I have not been served, I sent representatives to the court while the main and principal accused persons were absent in court. So, she could not issue a bench warrant for my arrest. The matter has been adjourned to May 10.”
Melaye asked the police to provide the suspects “either dead or alive” within 48 hours.
“The police must as a matter of urgency produce these two persons. Failure to do so, I am going to sue the IG for intimidation, harassment, blackmail and mental assault,” he said.
He ended his presentation by singing a Christian song in pidgin English, “This kind God o, I never see your kind o; this kind God o, blessed be your holy name.”
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while ruling on the matter, chided Melaye over his conduct when making presentations in the chamber.
He urged the lawmaker to always act like an elder statesman by virtue of his position as a senator.
Saraki said, “Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye, please, we do appreciate your sentiments and emotions but you must show respect also in the way you make your addresses, with due respect. You’re an elder statesman representing a constituency.”
He added, “Your point is noted and I think the major issue here is that all our institutions must continue to ensure that we all do our best to protect this democracy. We are making a mockery of ourselves with these issues you have raised, if they are true. I hope that the police will come out on some of these things.”
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Also, Senator Melaye has threatened to sue the IG, if he failed to produce the two main suspects in his gun-running trial by the police within 48 hours.
The lawmaker, who is representing Kogi West Senatorial District, issued the threat at the plenary on Wednesday.
The embattled senator raised a point of order to inform the Senate that the suspects had escaped from custody ahead of his (lawmaker’s) arraignment before a court in Kogi State on Wednesday.
Melaye said he had already informed his lawyers on the legal action against the police.
The lawmaker said, “The two suspects in my case who said I gave them guns and money; this morning, there was a reported case in Lokoja of a jailbreak at 5am and the two suspects have escaped.
“We were all supposed to appear before the Lokoja High Court this morning. Lo and behold, my lawyers were in court by 9am and the case was called, and the prosecutor of the Nigeria Police could not produce the two accused persons.
“Instead of producing the two accused persons, they asked the judge to issue a bench warrant for my arrest. But the judge refused to grant their prayer. The judge said despite the fact that I have not been served, I sent representatives to the court while the main and principal accused persons were absent in court. So, she could not issue a bench warrant for my arrest. The matter has been adjourned to May 10.”
Melaye asked the police to provide the suspects “either dead or alive” within 48 hours.
“The police must as a matter of urgency produce these two persons. Failure to do so, I am going to sue the IG for intimidation, harassment, blackmail and mental assault,” he said.
He ended his presentation by singing a Christian song in pidgin English, “This kind God o, I never see your kind o; this kind God o, blessed be your holy name.”
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while ruling on the matter, chided Melaye over his conduct when making presentations in the chamber.
He urged the lawmaker to always act like an elder statesman by virtue of his position as a senator.
Saraki said, “Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye, please, we do appreciate your sentiments and emotions but you must show respect also in the way you make your addresses, with due respect. You’re an elder statesman representing a constituency.”
He added, “Your point is noted and I think the major issue here is that all our institutions must continue to ensure that we all do our best to protect this democracy. We are making a mockery of ourselves with these issues you have raised, if they are true. I hope that the police will come out on some of these things.”
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