Court Grants Melaye Bail On Ground Of Ill-Health

*Directs National Assembly Clerk must undertake to produce him for arraignment A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja has granted bail to Senator Dino Melaye currently being held in a police health facility in Abuja. In a ruling on an application by Melaye, argued by his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) Justice Yusuf Halilu granted bail to Melaye on health ground. The judge asked him to produce three sureties, one of who must be the Clerk of the National Assembly, who must undertake to produce him when he is to be arraigned in respect of a charge already filed against him. The judge said the other two sureties must be owners of properties within the Abuja metropolis. Justice Halilu agreed with Ozekhome that the filing of a charge against Melaye by the police should not stop the court from exercising its discretion to grant bail. The Judge said since the police has exhibited a copy of the formal charge filed against Melaye, it was obvious that the prosecution has concluded plan to arraign him before a court. Justice Halilu noted it was only the living that stands trial and impracticable to arraign Melaye either on stretcher or on his hospital bed, it was rational to allow him on bail. Justice Halilu said since the issue of bail is a constitutional one it was for the prosecution to provide sufficient evidece to sustain it’s objection. The judge adjourned to a later date next week for his ruling on the substantive suit, in which Melaye is praying the court to among others, declare unlawful police’s siege on his Abuja home. He also wants the court to order the police to render a public apology to him.]]>