Babatunji Wusu –
- Acquittal: Senator Dino Melaye was acquitted in the twelfth case against him by the Federal Government.
- Charges Dropped: The charges related to providing false information about a 2017 assassination attempt.
- Legal Journey: Melaye’s legal struggles began in February 2018, leading to a total of twelve cases, all of which he has won.
- Personal Reflections: He celebrated the ruling on social media, emphasizing his faith in justice and divine intervention.
Former federal lawmaker Senator Dino Melaye was acquitted on Monday in the twelfth case brought against him by the Federal Government. Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, cleared Melaye of two charges related to allegedly providing false information about an assassination attempt on his life in 2017.
This protracted legal battle began in February 2018 when Melaye was accused of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the former Chief of Staff to Kogi State’s former Governor Yahaya Bello, in a conspiracy to assassinate him.
Celebration and Reflections
Following the ruling, Melaye took to the social media platform X to express his gratitude to his legal team and to highlight his unwavering faith in divine justice. He stated, “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 further noted, “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.”
Background of the Case
The initial proceedings regarding the alleged assassination attempt were delayed, particularly due to the unfortunate passing of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, who died during a crossover service on December 31, 2017. On January 31, 2018, the Attorney General’s Office officially charged Melaye, claiming his allegations were unfounded and arose from an investigation into the purported attempt on his life in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State. Melaye entered a plea of not guilty on March 1, 2018.
In July 2018, Melaye accused the Kogi State police command of attempting on his life following an incident where his security personnel allegedly fired at police officers during a ‘stop and search’ operation in Mopa. By March 2019, he reiterated claims of a conspiracy against him, which the Kogi State authorities have consistently denied.
