Kehinde Fajobi
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye announced on Monday that justice has finally been served in his favour after a protracted six-year legal battle with the Nigerian government.
Melaye revealed that he had been acquitted of 12 charges filed against him by the government. In a post shared on X, he wrote: “Justice served after 6 years.
Justice delayed is never Justice denied. God alone be praised. Sen Dino Melaye 12- Federal Government and IGP 0. EN. 12 cases all won by God. PROF MIKE OZEKHOME AND RICKY TAFA THANK YOU. NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER.”
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital High Court in Maitama cleared Melaye of two charges related to allegations of providing false information about an assassination attempt on his life in 2017.
Melaye’s legal challenges began in February 2018 when he was accused of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, then Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, in the alleged plot to assassinate him.
The initial case faced delays, including the sudden death of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, who was presiding over the matter, during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017.
On January 31, 2018, the Office of the Attorney General formally charged Melaye, claiming his allegations were baseless following an investigation into the reported assassination attempt in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State. Melaye pleaded not guilty on March 1, 2018.
The legal troubles continued for Melaye as he faced further accusations. In July 2018, he alleged that the Kogi State Police Command had attempted to kill him after claims surfaced that his security detail had fired on police officers conducting stop-and-search operations in Mopa.
In March 2019, Melaye once again accused the Kogi State government of conspiring to take his life, allegations which the state authorities strongly denied.