Attempted suicide: Sen. Melaye docked, granted N5m bail

Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, was also charged of damage to police property. The senator however, denied committing the offences preferred against him. Justice Sylvanus Oriji said that he was aware that the court had granted bail to the defendant when he was arraigned before him on July 25, 2018 on the same charges. Oriji said that the earlier bail conditions, which included the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum were still valid and should be sustained in the current charges. In the earlier bail condition, Melaye was to produce two sureties who must be directors in the civil service, reside in the FCT, and depose to affidavits of means. The prosecuting counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on April 24. He said the defendant, while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, allegedly forced his way out of the vehicle and attempted to escape. Izinyon said that the defendant held a substance in his hand and threatened to drink it to kill himself so that he would put the police officers in trouble. The prosecutor also said that the defendant broke the glass of the vehicle with his elbow and caused damage to police property. He said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 148,153,173,231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code. The counsel to the defendant, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) was, however, not in court. The judge adjourned the case until April 5, for hearing.]]>