The eventual arrest of the Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District has raised questions surrounding the controversies and activities that took place prior to his arrest.
Declared wanted
Trouble started for Dino Melaye in March when he was indicted by two suspected armed bandits who claimed to be working as political thugs for him.
According to Police Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, the suspects, identified as Kabiru Saidu and Nuru Salisu, were arrested and paraded at the Lokoja Command of the Force.
Moshood stated that the suspects confessed to being sponsored by the Senator after they were interrogated and a cache of arms that included AK-47 rifles and pump action firearms were recovered from them.
The Police had then issued an invitation to Dino Melaye to present himself to the Police Command for questioning but he failed to appear, forcing the Police Command to declare him wanted.
Before then, he was arraigned for allegedly framing Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff of Yahaya Bello, Governor of Kogi State, in an alleged murder plot.
Following his complain, the police had arrested six suspects, including a Local Government Chairman, but did not arrest Onoja, though, he was interrogated.
The twist however came, when Melaye was heard in a leaked audio saying he framed Onoja in the assassination plot which made the Police to file a suit against the Senator for perjury.
When he appeared in Court, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of N100,000.
However, he could not leave the Court premises as it was reported that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigerian Police were waiting to arrest him outside the court premises.
He managed to escape and later alleged that the Police was sponsored by Kogi State Governor, Yahya Bello, who was after his life. And that angels rescued him.
When the State Police Command was contacted, the Spokesman, Ayo Williams denied any attempt to arrest the Senator.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. The Police is not involved in the issue.”
He was reminded that Police was at the Court premises to which he replied: “That’s what I am telling you, I am not aware of that. There is nothing like that.”
Seen, but not arrested
Since he has been declared wanted, Melaye had been attending plenary sessions at the Senate without any hassle, a development which raised the questions on the seriousness of his being wanted.
He was also seen at the Fidau prayer of the late Buba Jibril, Deputy Leader of the House of Representatives, alongside Senate President Bukola Saraki.
He even taunted the Police by posting a picture of him, exchanging handshake with a Police Officer and captioned it “Now you see me, now you…still do but can’t do nothing about it, haha”.
He has been seen several times heavily guarded by officers of the same Police Force that declared him wanted.
Mr. Melaye had earlier written to the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, stating his intention to submit himself to the Police for investigation, with the condition that the case must only be handled in Abuja and not in Lokoja or anywhere in Kogi State, saying Governor Yahaya Bello had control of law enforcement agencies in the State.
Arrested and freed
On Monday, April 23, he was detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and restrained from traveling.
He said he was on his way to Morocco on an official assignment sponsored by the Nigerian Government when he was held by security.
According to the Secret Service Spokesman, Mr Sunday James, the Senator was arrested “based on instruction.” The Senator was, however, released later that day but was not allowed to travel.
No sooner had he been released that Police and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were reported to have laid siege on his house in Abuja.
Many have again asked why they would lay siege to the house of a wanted person, rather than enter and arrest him. Others hold that they might not have legal authority (i.e. arrest warrant), to arrest him. This would then mean they have been acting illegally.
On Tuesday, April 24, the Senator said he would present himself to the Police for interrogation, who he accused of trying to intimidate him for “defending the poor.”
“I will make myself available to the police today. My resolve to speak the truth and defend the poor masses of Nigeria is total. We shall overcome.
“A man without arm, no security yet you mobilise 150 policemen to invite him. And those who committed Treason are free. We shall not be intimidated or cowed. Struggle continues.”
While on the way to Lokoja, the Senator reportedly jumped from the moving Police vehicle and was suspected to have broken a vertebrate. This was later denied by his spokesman who claimed the Police intended to kill him.
But according to Police Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, some men believed to be working for the Senator got the information and waylaid the security operatives on the way.
He said that Dino Melaye on Tuesday at about 12 noon, while in lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force and being taken for arraignment in Federal High Court, Lokoja from Abuja, escaped from lawful custody when hoodlums and miscreants in Two (2) Toyota Hilux Vehicles blocked the Police vehicle conveying him
But photos show that Melaye was on handcuff while he was being taken to the hospital, raising questions as to how a heavily weighing man jumped out of a moving vehicle with handcuffs on. This has however been explained by the possibility that he was handcuffed after he tried to escape, not before.
He was however re-arrested and rushed to the Hospital for emergency treatment.
The Police had initially moved him to Zanklin Hospital in Abuja, and later transferred him to the National Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.
Senate delegation was also barred by the security operatives from seeing him as they claim it was order from above.
More troubles (INEC’s recall)
While the Senator is yet to settle his case with the Police, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the commencement of his recall process.
According to the Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Mohammed Haruna, the verification exercise would hold in 552 polling units in seven Local Governments under Kogi West Senatorial District as INEC would engaged the services of over 2,000 Ad Hoc staff.
“Only those who signed the petition are expected to turn up at their polling units for verification.”
Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof James Apam, noted that local observers would be allowed to monitor the process and no party agents would be allowed at the polling units.
He added that the result of the exercise would be announced on April 29.
“The ad hoc staff have been trained at the state and local government levels and materials procured and sent to the registration area centres, ready for movement to the polling units on the day of verification.
“We have concluded all arrangements in line with our schedule of activities and are set for the exercise.”
