Melaye assassination attempt: Case starts afresh following judge’s death

THE suit brought against the chairman of the Association of
Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kogi state, Alhaji Taofiq Isa
and four others over the assassination attempt on the senator
representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, started
afresh at a Kogi state high court sitting in Lokoja.

This followed the death of the judge that was hearing the case,
Justice Arome Akogu, last December.

Akogu, who has been has been in charge of the suit brought by
the Police against the defendants died on December 31, 2017,
necessitating the allocation of the case to a new judge.

The new judge, Justice Fola Ajayi, assumed hearing in the suit
with Isa, who is also the chairman, Ijumu local government area of
Kogi state and other defendants in court.

Others arraigned alongside the council boss on a five-count
charge of conspiracy to commit culpable homicide punishable with
death were Ade Obege, Abdullahi Isah, Michael Bamidele and Ahmed
Ajayi, all pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against
them.

At the last sitting before the death of Akogu, the case was
adjoined for a no case submission after arguments by counsel to the
defendants, Mr Dele Adesina SAN.

However at the resumed hearing of the case Justice Ajayi,
described the case as a novel, said because of the criminal nature
of the case, the proceeding would begin afresh.

The accused persons were again put in the dock and they pleaded
not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The presiding judge however assured all parties that he would
ensure fairness, soliciting their support and cooperation.

ALSO READ: N5.3bn fraud: Court strikes out corruption charges
against Nnamani

The lead counsel for the accused persons, Zakari Abbas, later
sought 5 March 2018 for the commencement of the hearing of the
matter, following the non-appearance of the prosecution
counsel.

The judge thereafter adjourned the further hearing to March 5
for hearing.

THE suit brought against the chairman of the Association of
Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kogi state, Alhaji Taofiq Isa
and four others over the assassination attempt on the senator
representing Kogi west senatorial district, Dino Melaye, started
afresh at a Kogi state high court sitting in Lokoja.

This followed the death of the judge that was hearing the case,
Justice Arome Akogu, last December.

Akogu, who has been has been in charge of the suit brought by
the Police against the defendants died on December 31, 2017,
necessitating the allocation of the case to a new judge.

The new judge, Justice Fola Ajayi, assumed hearing in the suit
with Isa, who is also the chairman, Ijumu local government area of
Kogi state and other defendants in court.

Others arraigned alongside the council boss on a five-count
charge of conspiracy to commit culpable homicide punishable with
death were Ade Obege, Abdullahi Isah, Michael Bamidele and Ahmed
Ajayi, all pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against
them.

At the last sitting before the death of Akogu, the case was
adjoined for a no case submission after arguments by counsel to the
defendants, Mr Dele Adesina SAN.

However at the resumed hearing of the case Justice Ajayi,
described the case as a novel, said because of the criminal nature
of the case, the proceeding would begin afresh.

The accused persons were again put in the dock and they pleaded
not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The presiding judge however assured all parties that he would
ensure fairness, soliciting their support and cooperation.

ALSO READ: N5.3bn fraud: Court strikes out corruption charges
against Nnamani

The lead counsel for the accused persons, Zakari Abbas, later
sought 5 March 2018 for the commencement of the hearing of the
matter, following the non-appearance of the prosecution
counsel.

The judge thereafter adjourned the further hearing to March 5
for hearing.