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| Dino Melaye |
A lawmaker representing Kogi state, Dino Melaye, who was arrested
in Abuja on Monday, has been released after a stand-off with security men that lasted
for hours, THE PRECISION has learnt.
in Abuja on Monday, has been released after a stand-off with security men that lasted
for hours, THE PRECISION has learnt.
“Yes, he had been released almost an hour ago,” his spokesperson, Gideon Ayodele said shortly after his release.
Mr Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, was arrested
by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport Monday morning.
by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International
Airport Monday morning.
He said he was on his way to Morocco on an official assignment
sponsored by the Nigerian government when he was held by security.
sponsored by the Nigerian government when he was held by security.
The NIS confirmed responsibility for Mr Melaye’s arrest to PREMIUM TIMES.
The arrest, which followed weeks of controversies between the senator
and the police, generated widespread reaction Monday morning. While
some welcomed it as deserving of a controversial lawmaker like Mr
Melaye, others criticised the arrest as an act of executive
recklessness.
and the police, generated widespread reaction Monday morning. While
some welcomed it as deserving of a controversial lawmaker like Mr
Melaye, others criticised the arrest as an act of executive
recklessness.
Some of Mr Melaye’s colleagues at the Senate, like Ben Murray-Bruce,
condemned his arrest and called on federal authorities to release him
immediately.
condemned his arrest and called on federal authorities to release him
immediately.
His arrest was initially linked to the police, who have been on a
manhunt for him for several weeks, and had declared the lawmaker wanted
for his alleged links to violence in Kogi state.
manhunt for him for several weeks, and had declared the lawmaker wanted
for his alleged links to violence in Kogi state.
Mr Melaye denied wrongdoing, saying his ordeal was politically-motivated.
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“He was released after the police couldn’t pin anything on him,” said
Mr Ayodele. “The immigration officials who thought they were trying to
help the police when they initially detained him were also embarrassed
that the police couldn’t take him into custody.”
Mr Ayodele. “The immigration officials who thought they were trying to
help the police when they initially detained him were also embarrassed
that the police couldn’t take him into custody.”
The development could further surprise Nigerians who have long been
shocked at the police’s apparent failure to enforce their own arrest
warrant. Mr Melaye was declared wanted over a month ago, but he still
has at least two police officers in his security detail.
shocked at the police’s apparent failure to enforce their own arrest
warrant. Mr Melaye was declared wanted over a month ago, but he still
has at least two police officers in his security detail.
The senator also reportedly met with Kogi police commissioner, the
same officer that declared him wanted, at a burial event for a later
House of Representatives member from Kogi State two weeks ago.
same officer that declared him wanted, at a burial event for a later
House of Representatives member from Kogi State two weeks ago.
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