Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court on Monday discharged and acquitted Senator Dino Melaye of the charges brought before him by the Federal Government.
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 to police property.
He was said to have committed the alleged offences on April 24, 2018, while being conveyed by the police to Lokoja, Kogi State capital, as he forced his way out of the vehicle and escaped.
The prosecution alleged that the senator sat on the ground, holding a substance in one hand, threatening to drink same to kill himself so that he could put police officers in trouble.
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.
Melaye, however, filed a no-case submission through his counsel Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
Justice Oriji upheld the former Kogi West senator’s no-case submission on two of the counts against him – threat to injure public officers and attempt to commit suicide – and ordered him to enter his defence on the remaining four counts.
Ruling on Monday, Justice Oriji discharged and acquitted Melaye, saying the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Celebrating his acquittal on X on Monday, Melaye expressed gratitude to 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.
“Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised. Sen. Dino Melaye 12 – federal government and IGP 0. 12 cases all won by God,” he added.
