Dino Melaye damaged 2 police vehicles while attempting to escape from custody – Witness

A prosecution witness on Friday, told an FCT High Court in Apo, Abuja that Sen. Dino Melaye, damaged two police property when he forced his way out of the vehicles and attempted to escape.

The police alleged that Melaye while being transported to Lokoia, broke the windshield of the vehicles with his elbow.

The witness, ASP Dennis Agbi, member of the IGP Special Tactical Squad, made the allegation while testifying in the ongoing case of attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property, filed against Melaye.

Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, is facing trial on a six counts of attempted suicide, attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property.

The witness informed the court that while on duty on April 24, 2018, a white-coloured Toyota Hilux with Registration No. MKA 603 GY, was brought for him to record as exhibit.

He further told the court that when he inspected the evidence, he discovered that the right headlight of the van and part of the vehicle bumper were damaged.
Agbi told the court that he marked the Hilux as exhibit NO. CER/STS/11/2018A in his records.

He said that the second vehicle was a white Hiace bus with front right side mirror broken, and the left side back window glass, broken.

The witness told the court that the bumper CER/STS/11/2018B in his records.
After the inspection of the vehicles by the judge, they were admitted and marked as exhibits by the court.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Jovi Oghojafor, said that the Certified True Copy of the records of exhibit was not available to be tendered in court.

He further requested for an adjournment, to enable him to bring it at the next adjourned day.

Justice Silvanus Oriji adjourned the case until May 16, May 27 and May 28.

Our correspondent reports that Melaye was arraigned on July 25, 2018.

Justice Oriji admitted him to bail in the sum of to N5 million and two sureties in like sum.

The prosecution alleged that Melaye committed the offence on April 24.

The police said the defendant, while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, held a substance in his hand and threatened to drink it to kill himself so that he would put the police officers in trouble.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 148,153,173,231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.

Melaye pleaded not guilty to the charge.