Senator Dino Melaye, a former federal lawmaker, has been acquitted in a legal battle that spanned six years. On Monday, the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, cleared Melaye of charges brought against him by the Federal Government, marking the conclusion of the twelfth case in his favor.
The case centered around allegations from 2017, where Melaye was accused of providing false information about an alleged assassination attempt on his life. Melaye had implicated Edward Onoja, who was then Chief of Staff to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, in the assassination plot.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji delivered the ruling, absolving Melaye of the charges. The legal ordeal began in February 2018, following an investigation into the purported assassination attempt in Melaye’s hometown of Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State. The charges were delayed for several reasons, including the death of the original presiding judge, Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, who passed away in late 2017.
Throughout the trial, Melaye consistently maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty when formally charged by the Attorney General’s office in January 2018. He accused the Kogi State police of targeting him, stating that there had been attempts on his life orchestrated by the state government, claims that were denied by authorities.
After his final acquittal, Melaye took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate his victory, expressing gratitude to his legal team and giving credit to his faith. He declared, “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.”
This victory brings to an end a prolonged and contentious legal battle between Melaye and the federal authorities, a struggle that he believes has vindicated him in the eyes of the law.