Melaye: Court adjourns until May 17 for counsel to explain defendant’s absence

Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of FCT High Court, Maitama, on Wednesday adjourned until May 17 for Dino Melaye’s lawyer to explain why his client was not in court.

Melaye, representing Kogi West, was dragged to court on a two-count charge bordering on giving false information, offences he denied committing.

The judge, after listening to the submissions of his counsel, Mr Ricky Tarfa (SAN), and the prosecuting counsel, Mr Magaji Labaran adjourned the matter.

The prosecuting counsel, Labaran, had informed the court that the case was fixed for trial, but the defendant whom the court granted bail was not in court.

Responding, Melaye’s lawyer Tarfa, told the court that he expected Labaran to furnish the court with the true position.

”The defendant has been charged in two other courts. He was immediately taken to Lokoja after he was granted bail in this court.

”The cagistrate court at Lokoja refused him bail, and ordered that he should be remanded in police custody.

“He approached the high court and that court adjourned until May 16 (today) to rule on his bail application, ” he submitted.

He told the court that it was not a fair representation of issues if the prosecution behave as if he was not aware.

Labaran, responding, told the court that he was granted bail which he perfected the condition, and what he may have done is not the business of the court.

“In the circumstance, we pray the court to issue an order for the surety to come and show cause.

“Otherwise, we will be compelled to ask that the defendant’ bail be revoked” he submitted.

The judge had on March 1, 2018 admitted Melaye to bail in the sum of N100, 000, a surety in like sum, who must not be below grade level 14 in the Federal Civil Service.

In addition, the surety must show evidence of where he resides in the Federal Capital Territory.