Melaye: Senators halt plenary, storm National Hospital, summon IG

The Senate on Wednesday stopped plenary to visit Sen. Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) at National Hospital, Abuja, to ascertain his health condition.

This followed a point of order by Sen. Sam Anyanwu (PDP-Imo) at plenary.

Melaye, who sustained injury during his arrest by security operatives on Tuesday, was earlier taken to Zankli Hospital, Abuja.

He was later transferred to National Hospital, Abuja, by men of the Nigeria Police for treatment.

He is being interrogated by the police in connection with sponsoring of political violence in Kogi and illegal possession of firearms.

The upper chamber also summoned the Inspector General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris to appear before it by 11 a.m. on Thursday to give explanation about the matter.

Sen. Anyanwu in his point of order expressed concern over “the manner in which a serving lawmaker was treated: something should be done about it.”

He said the legislature was the symbol of democracy and should be respected, especially by security agencies.

The lawmaker, therefore, urged the senate to meet with the leadership of Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

Deputy Leader of the senate, Sen. Bala Na’Allah, said he was delegated by the upper chamber, alongside other senators to visit Sen. Dino Melaye in hospital but were prevented from seeing him.

He, however, added that the hospital management had assured the senators that doctors would do their best to stabilise Melaye, who was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The President of the senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, thanked the lawmakers for their concern and stressed the need for collaboration between the legislature and the executive for democracy to thrive.