Melaye assassination attempt: Court strikes out suit against LG boss, four others

A Kogi state high court, sitting in Lokoja on Tuesday struck out the suit brought against the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Taofiq Isa, over the alleged assassination attempt on the senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye.

The trial judge, Justice Fola Ajayi, struck out the case for want of diligent prosecution.

Isa, who is also the chairman of Ijumu local government area of Kogi state had been charged to court along with four other suspects over the alleged attack on the Senator’s home in Ayetoro-Gbede.

The other accused persons in the suit were Ade Obege, Abdullahi Isah, Michael Bamidel and Ahmed Ajayi.

However, ruling on the matter the trial judge regretted that the prosecution counsel could not open his case despite four adjournments to enable them to put their house in order.

He, therefore, struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution and gave a consequential order that the prosecution could start their case afresh whenever they are ready.

The defence team, which spoke through, Zakari Abbas, commended the trial judge for the judgement.

According to him, having listened to all parties, it was obvious that the petitioners were unwilling to present their witnesses, making the judge to conclude that the prosecution has not diligently pursued their case.

He said, “Hence the charge brought against the defendants have been struck out. As it stands there are no criminal charges against the defendants.

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However, the judge gave a consequential order that whenever they are ready with their witness, they could approach the court to start their case afresh”.

The ALGON chairman in his reaction to the judgment described it as an act of God, saying that the judiciary still remained the hope of the common man.

He said he has forgiven those who had accused him wrongly and called on all Okun sons and daughters to come together in the interest of the development of the area.