Court drops the alleged assassination case on Dino Melaye

Kogi State High Court has dismissed the case of an over an alleged assassination attempt on Senator Dino Melaye. Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Taofiq Isa, and four other suspects who were identified as Ade Obege, Abdullahi Isah, Michael Bamidele and Ahmed Ajayi, who were arraigned before the court on Tuesday have been discharged and acquitted. According to the trial judge, Fola Ajayi, the criminal charges against the suspect was dropped as the prosecution were not able to call their witnesses despite four adjournment.
The four suspects were charged to court after Senator Dino Melaye who is representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly had approached the court alleging an assassination attempt on his life by Taofiq Isa and four others in April 2017. However, the judge in charge of the trial struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution and further gave a consequential order for the prosecution to start their case afresh whenever they are ready. Zakari Abbas who spoke on behalf of the defence counsel, commended the judge for the landmark judgment as he noted that the petitioners were unwilling to present their witnesses prompting the judge to arrive at the conclusion that the prosecution has not diligently pursued their case.Photo Credit: Getty