Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court in Abuja delivered a landmark ruling on Monday, discharging and acquitting the former senator, Dino Melaye, who had represented the Kogi West district in the National Assembly. The ruling effectively brings to a close a drawn-out legal battle spanning six years, during which Melaye had been embroiled in various legal challenges initiated by the Federal Government.
The court's decision marks a pivotal and relieving moment for Melaye, as he is now cleared of all allegations, freeing him from the weight of his legal troubles and allowing him to move forward unburdened.
The legal battle began six years ago when the Federal Government brought forward charges against the former senator. At the heart of the charges was an accusation that Melaye had provided false information concerning an alleged assassination attempt on his life back in 2017.
In a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Melaye expressed his relief, revealing that Justice Oriji had cleared him of two specific charges of providing false information related to the assassination attempt.
The initial case, which focused on the supposed assassination attempt, had experienced several delays, most notably after the tragic death of Justice Aromeh Akogu, the presiding judge at the time. Justice Akogu passed away during a crossover service on December 31, 2017, which led to significant delays in the proceedings.
The Attorney General’s Office eventually moved forward, formally charging Melaye on January 31, 2018, accusing him of making baseless claims during the investigation into the alleged assassination attempt at his hometown in Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State.
Melaye had pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 1, 2018.
The legal saga continued, with Melaye once again finding himself at odds with authorities in July 2018. He accused the Kogi State police command of attempting to kill him following an incident in which his security details allegedly shot at policemen conducting a ‘stop and search’ operation in Mopa.
In March 2019, Melaye reignited the tensions by accusing the Kogi State government of conspiring to take his life, a claim that the state government denied. These accusations further prolonged his legal challenges as he continued to fight in the court of law and the court of public opinion.
Despite the numerous accusations and challenges, Melaye maintained his innocence throughout and continued to trust that justice would eventually prevail.
Following his acquittal, Melaye took to social media, specifically X, to celebrate his victory. He expressed deep gratitude towards his legal team for their hard work and dedication over the years, but also emphasized his unwavering faith in divine justice.
In his post, Melaye 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.”
The former senator’s comments resonated with many of his supporters, who have followed his tumultuous journey through the legal system. Melaye's ability to stand firm in his convictions and his eventual vindication have solidified his position as a resilient figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.