Details: Dino Melaye Granted Bail

Senator Melaye Is Granted bail By High Court In Abuja

Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi west constituency, has been granted bail by an FCT High court in Maitama, Abuja owing to his health conditions.

Melaye who is facing trial for allegedly providing false information to the public regarding an assassination attempt against him, was arraigned by the federal government through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation but could not appear in court on January 14 for his health condition.

The embattled senator had slumped in the hands of federal special anti-robbery squad (FSARS) men on his way to Police custody, Naija News reports.

The presiding judge, Justice Halilu, in his ruling today, agreed with the counsel representing Senator Melaye, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), that his client had been in custody beyond the number of days stipulated by the law.

He also agreed with Ozekhome that the filing of a charge against Melaye by the police should not stop the court from exercising its discretion to grant bail.

The Judge said since the police has exhibited a copy of the formal charge filed against Melaye, it was obvious that the prosecution has concluded plan to arraign him before a court.

Justice Halilu held that it was only the living that stands trial and impracticable to arraign Melaye either on stretcher or on his hospital bed, it was rational to allow him on bail.

Justice Halilu said since the issue of bail is a constitutional one it was for the prosecution to provide sufficient evidence to sustain it’s objection hence he granted the Senator bail and asked him to produce three sureties, one of who must be the Clerk of the National Assembly, who must undertake to produce him when he is to be arraigned in respect of a charge already filed against him.

The judge added that the other two sureties must be owners of properties within the Abuja metropolis.

Jsutic Haliu later adjourned the suit to a date next week, in which Melaye is seeking the court to among others, declare unlawful police’s siege on his Abuja home.