Criminal Trial: ‘I’m Injured, I Can’t Stand In The Dock’ – Melaye
Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, on Thursday, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, that he was injured and could not stand in the dock to continue his trial.
Melaye is facing a six count criminal charges bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from police custody, damage to police property, mischief, and threat to public servants.
The trial judge had at last sitting on May 28, 2019 adjourned the case to September 11, 18 and October 3, 2019 for continuation of hearing and examination of witnesses by the defence counsel.
But Melaye was “assisted” to enter the court room by two of his aides who said he cannot walk alone!
Counsel to the defendant, Barr. Benson Igbanoi, who stood in for Mike Ozekhome, informed the trial court that he was injured in the last governorship primary election conducted in Lokoja last week Tuesday when gunmen invaded the stadium, venue of the primary.
The counsel said Melaye sustained injury on his leg at the primary and could barely walk; a development he said make it nearly impossible for him to enter his vehicle without help, let alone stand in the dock.
The defendant beg the court for a longer day to allow him recuperate from his injured leg so as to enable him continue his trials and present his witnesses.
The prosecutor had before closing their case presented three witnesses; which includes the driver, and two other police officers who were accompanying him to Lokoja from Abuja when he made a forceful escape from the police van.
The judge, Justice Sylvester Orji in his ruling agreed to the defendant plea and adjourned to October 3 and 10, 2019 for the defendant to open and close his case.
The trial will prove interesting as many are wondering whom the embattled senator will call as witness bearing in mind that he was in custody of the three policemen; all whom have testified that he made a forceful escape from their custody.
But it was however surprising that after the ruling, Senator Dino quickly got up and walk out of the court room with smile.
(KOGI REPORTS)
Melaye is facing a six count criminal charges bordering on attempted suicide, attempt to escape from police custody, damage to police property, mischief, and threat to public servants.
The trial judge had at last sitting on May 28, 2019 adjourned the case to September 11, 18 and October 3, 2019 for continuation of hearing and examination of witnesses by the defence counsel.
But Melaye was “assisted” to enter the court room by two of his aides who said he cannot walk alone!
Counsel to the defendant, Barr. Benson Igbanoi, who stood in for Mike Ozekhome, informed the trial court that he was injured in the last governorship primary election conducted in Lokoja last week Tuesday when gunmen invaded the stadium, venue of the primary.
The counsel said Melaye sustained injury on his leg at the primary and could barely walk; a development he said make it nearly impossible for him to enter his vehicle without help, let alone stand in the dock.
The defendant beg the court for a longer day to allow him recuperate from his injured leg so as to enable him continue his trials and present his witnesses.
The prosecutor had before closing their case presented three witnesses; which includes the driver, and two other police officers who were accompanying him to Lokoja from Abuja when he made a forceful escape from the police van.
The judge, Justice Sylvester Orji in his ruling agreed to the defendant plea and adjourned to October 3 and 10, 2019 for the defendant to open and close his case.
The trial will prove interesting as many are wondering whom the embattled senator will call as witness bearing in mind that he was in custody of the three policemen; all whom have testified that he made a forceful escape from their custody.
But it was however surprising that after the ruling, Senator Dino quickly got up and walk out of the court room with smile.
(KOGI REPORTS)
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