Melaye’s assassination attempt: Court drops criminal charges against defendants
A Kogi State
High Court on Tuesday struck out the assassination case involving the chairman,
Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Taofiq Isa, and four others for
want of diligent prosecution.
This was the
decision of the trial judge, Fola Ajayi, who regretted that despite four
adjournments, the prosecution was not able to call their witnesses.
Senator Dino
Melaye, representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly
had, in April 2017, approached the court alleging an assassination attempt on
his life by Taofiq Isa and four others.
Others
standing trial alongside Isa are: Ade Obege, Abdullahi Isah, Michael Bamidele
and Ahmed Ajayi.
But ruling
on the matter, the trial judge, Fola Ajayi, noted with regrets that the
prosecution counsel could not open his case despite four adjournments.
He,
therefore, struck out the case for lack of diligent prosecution.
He, however,
gave a consequential order for the prosecution to start their case afresh
whenever they are ready.
Speaking on
behalf of defense counsels, Zakari Abbas commended the judge for the landmark
judgment.
He said that
the judge, having listened to all parties, said that the petitioners were
unwilling to present their witnesses, prompting the judge to arrive at the
conclusion that the prosecution has not diligently pursued their case.
“Hence, the
charge brought against the defendants have been struck out. As it stands, there
is no criminal charges against the defendants.
“However, he
gave a consequential order that whenever they are ready with their witnesses,
they could approach the court to start their case afresh.”
Reacting to
the ruling, Mr. Taofiq Isa, who is the administrator of Ijumu Local Government
Area, expressed joy and described the ruling as “an act of God,” saying that
the judiciary still remains the hope of the common man.
He said he has forgiven those who accused him
wrongly and called on all Okun sons and daughters to come together in the
interest of the development of the area.
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