Dino Melaye regains freedom after fresh arraignment

Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, has regained his freedom after spending about two weeks in detention.

The senator has been in custody since January 4. He surrendered to the police after a special team laid siege to his residence in Abuja for eight days.

The police accused the senator of culpable homicide.

It was alleged that some supporters of the lawmaker shot one Danjuma Saliu, a police officer, in Kogi state.

Last week, a high court in the federal capital territory (FCT) granted the lawmaker bail on health grounds.

The court had asked him to present three sureties who reside in Abuja and have properties in the city.

But after meeting the conditions on Monday, the police moved to arraign him alongside Silas Omenka, his gateman, on a nine-count charge bordering on lying and resisting arrest.

During the arraignment on Tuesday, Yusuf Halilu, the judge, granted Melaye bail after he pleaded “not guilty” to the nine-count charge preferred against him.

The judge ordered Melaye not to travel abroad without seeking a written permission from the court.