Dino Melaye granted bail as long as the National Assembly clerk stands as his surety

SENATOR DINO Melaye has been granted bail by a Federal Capital territory high court on the condition that he produces three sureties one of whom must be the clerk of the National Assembly who must undertake to produce him whenever he is asked to appear.

On January 4, Senator Melaye surrendered to the police after they laid siege to his Abuja mansion following his refusal to appear in court in a criminal case. Over the last year, Senator Melaye has been involved in at least four major brushes with the security forces and on one occasion jumped out of a police van taking him to Kogi State, while he also alleged that he was once kidnapped.

Earlier this week, an Abuja high court gave the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) up until January 18 to show cause as to why they are still detaining the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District. Earlier today, Senator Melaye secured another victory after the FCT court accepted the argument of his lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome that he be released on bail on health grounds.

Justice Yusuf Halilu ruled that the senator should be granted bail on health grounds although he is healthy enough to stand trial. According to Chief Ozekhome, since the senator cannot be arraigned on the stretcher or ‎on his hospital bed, he should be granted bail for now to attend to his health.

However Justice Halilu asked Senator Melaye to produce three sureties, one of whom must be the clerk of the National Assembly, who must undertake to produce him when he is to be arraigned in respect of a charge already filed against him. In addition, the judge said the other two sureties must be owners of properties within the Abuja metropolis.