Senator
Dino Melaye was on Tuesday docked before an FCT High Court, Apo area of Abuja
on a six-count charge, bordering on attempted suicide and attempt to escape
from custody.
Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, was also charged of
damage to police property, NAN reports.
The senator, however, denied committing the offences preferred
against him.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji said that he was aware that the court had granted bail
to the defendant when he was arraigned before him on July 25, 2018 on the same
charges.
Oriji said that the earlier bail conditions, which included the
sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum, were still valid and should be
sustained in the current charges.
In the earlier bail condition, Melaye was to produce two sureties
who must be directors in the civil service, reside in the FCT, and depose to
affidavits of means.
The prosecuting counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), told the court that the
defendant committed the alleged offences on April 24.
He said the defendant, while being conveyed in a police vehicle to
Lokoja, allegedly forced his way out of the vehicle and attempted to escape.
Izinyon said that the defendant held a substance in his hand and
threatened to drink it to kill himself so that he would put the police officers
in trouble.
The prosecutor also said that the defendant broke the glass of the vehicle with
his elbow and caused damage to police property.
He said the offences contravened the
provisions of Sections 148,153,173,231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.
The counsel to the defendant, Chief Mike
Ozekhome (SAN) was, however, not in court.
The judge adjourned the case until April 5 for hearing.
