Melaye assassination attempt: Case starts afresh following judge’s death

THE suit brought against the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kogi state, Alhaji Taofiq Isa and four others over the assassination attempt on the senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, started afresh at a Kogi state high court sitting in Lokoja.

This followed the death of the judge that was hearing the case, Justice Arome Akogu, last December.

Akogu, who has been has been in charge of the suit brought by the Police against the defendants died on December 31, 2017, necessitating the allocation of the case to a new judge.

The new judge, Justice Fola Ajayi, assumed hearing in the suit with Isa, who is also the chairman, Ijumu local government area of Kogi state and other defendants in court.

Others arraigned alongside the council boss on a five-count charge of conspiracy to commit culpable homicide punishable with death were Ade Obege, Abdullahi Isah, Michael Bamidele and Ahmed Ajayi, all pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against them.

At the last sitting before the death of Akogu, the case was adjoined for a no case submission after arguments by counsel to the defendants, Mr Dele Adesina SAN.

However at the resumed hearing of the case Justice Ajayi, described the case as a novel, said because of the criminal nature of the case, the proceeding would begin afresh.

The accused persons were again put in the dock and they pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The presiding judge however assured all parties that he would ensure fairness, soliciting their support and cooperation.

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The lead counsel for the accused persons, Zakari Abbas, later sought 5 March 2018 for the commencement of the hearing of the matter, following the non-appearance of the prosecution counsel.

The judge thereafter adjourned the further hearing to March 5 for hearing.