"Melaye threatened to implicate police by killing himself "- Witness Tells Court

A witness, Abama Mallum, on Thursday, May 16, told an FCT High Court that he heard Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi west) shouting that he would kill himself and put the police in trouble.

Mallum, a police inspector and driver with the IGP Special Tactical Squad, said that he overheard Melaye make the threat while attempting to escape for police custody, the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports.

He made the allegation while testifying in the ongoing trial of Melaye for attempted to kill himself, attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property.

Melaye is facing trial on six counts of attempt to kill himself, attempt to escape from custody and damage to police property.

The witness informed the court that while on duty on April 24, 2018, Amos Boka, an Assitant Superintendent of Police, told him to convey Mr Melaye and some police officers to Lokoja.

“As we moved around 2 p.m by Area I roundabout, a white Toyota Hilux blocked me, I applied the brakes. The vehicle knocked off my side-mirror.

"I heard the senator shouting at the officers. I then heard the sound of a glass breaking. All of a sudden, Sen. Melaye jumped out of the vehicle, shouting that he would not go to Lokoja," he said.

The witness alleged that Melaye had a sharp instrument in his hands and he was shouting: ”I will kill myself and put the police in trouble’’.

“At this point, the police officers pleaded with the defendant to get back in the car but he refused. A crowd had also started gathering in Area I. I was ordered to put the car in reverse and go back to the office,” he said. Mallum alleged that a white van blocked the car he was driving.

Counsel to the defendant, Alex Izinyon, SAN, requested the court go to the car park where the vehicles tendered as exhibits were kept so that the witness can identify the car.

The judge, Silvanus Oriji, then adjourned the case to until Monday, May 27, for further hearing and cross-examination.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Melaye was on Tuesday, March 5, arraigned by the police at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, Apo area of Abuja on a six-count charge, part of which was attempting to take his own life.

In another part of the charges, Senator Melaye was accused of attempting to escape from custody. Melaye, who recently won another opportunity to represents Kogi west senatorial district, was alleged to have damaged police property.