Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court in Abuja, on Monday, discharged and acquitted former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye of charges brought against him by the federal government. This ruling brings an end to a six-year legal battle that began in 2017.
The charges stemmed from allegations that Melaye had provided false information concerning an assassination attempt on his life in 2017. The Attorney General’s Office formally charged Melaye on January 31, 2018, after an investigation into the supposed attack in his hometown of Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State. The federal government claimed that Melaye’s accusations were unfounded, leading to his prosecution.
Melaye pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 1, 2018, maintaining his stance throughout the proceedings. The case saw numerous delays, including the sudden death of Justice Aromeh Akogu, who was originally overseeing the matter. Justice Akogu tragically passed away during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017.
In addition to the 2017 allegations, Melaye made further claims in July 2018, accusing the Kogi State police of attempting to kill him. This came after reports that his security detail had allegedly shot at policemen conducting a routine ‘stop and search’ in Mopa, Kogi State. In 2019, Melaye also alleged a conspiracy against his life by the Kogi State government, a charge the state authorities denied.
Following his acquittal, Melaye took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude to his legal team and celebrate the outcome of the case. He highlighted his enduring faith in divine justice, stating, “I take life as it comes, but in all the vicissitudes of life, I trust in God only. He is always with the just.”
This ruling marks the end of a contentious chapter in Melaye’s political career, which has been marked by legal and political struggles since his tenure as Senator for Kogi West. Despite the challenges, Melaye continues to maintain his public presence and strong faith in both the legal system and divine justice.
