Police confirms Dino Melaye’s surrender, says suspect in custody, hospital admission in stable condition

…To be arraigned on conclusion of investigation

The Nigerian Police Force has said that Senator Dino Melaye, who after surrendering himself from his eight-day of hide and seek game, collapsed into unconsciousness Friday, has been admitted in Police Hospital Abuja.

By this, The DEFENDER can authoritatively confirm that the loud senator representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly has actually surrendered and arrested.

It would be recalled that this media organization reported on Friday that it was yet to confirm the surrender of Melaye as, according to it, phone line of the Force PRO Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Jimoh Moshood was busy as at time of filing the report.

But the police, confirming this, said the senator’s health was stable in the hospital.

The Force PRO, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement Saturday evening, said the senator, who he noted was earlier declared wanted by the police for culpable homicide, would be arraigned in court only on conclusion of investigation in the case brought against him.

“Senator Dino Melaye is currently in Police custody for investigation, and subsequently, taken to Police hospital, Abuja for medical attention and he is in stable condition.

“Investigation into the case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide against him is on-going.

“The case will be taken to court on completion of investigation,” he said in the statement.

The statement explained that Senator Dino Melaye was “wanted by the police for criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when he and his armed thugs attacked police personnel, shot and wounded Sergent Danjuma Saliu on stop-and- search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.”

It said the Senator after eight days, surrendered to the Police Investigation Team on wait at his residence, Saturday at about 3pm.

“The Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.

“The Police Investigation Team had since 28th December, 2018 at about 1000hrs arrived the residence of Senator Dino Melaye with a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest to effect his arrest to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command. Senator Dino Melaye on sighting the Police Team locked up himself in the building to evade arrest,” the statement said.

It read further: “The Warrant of Arrest was obtained after Senator Dino Melaye refused to honour Police invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26th July, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command.

“The Police Investigation Team cordoned off the building and continued to be in wait for eight (8) days for Senator Dino Melaye to obey the law and surrender himself for arrest.

“While the Police Investigation Team was waiting, Senator Dino Melaye granted an interview monitored on Television Stations that he was not in Abuja. This claim eventually was discovered to be completely false as Senator Dino Melaye surrendered to the waiting Police Investigation Team today at his residence in Abuja at about 1500hrs.

“Senator Dino Melaye is currently in Police custody for investigation, and subsequently, taken to Police hospital, Abuja for medical attention and he is in stable condition. Investigation into the case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide against him is on-going.”

Read the police statement in full:

SENATOR DINO MELAYE WANTED BY THE POLICE FOR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND ATTEMPTED CULPABLE HOMICIDE SURRENDERS TO THE POLICE INVESTIGATION TEAM, TODAY, 4th JANUARY, 2019 AT ABOUT 1500HRS

Senator Dino Melaye wanted by the Police for criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs attacked Police personnel, shot and wounded SGT Danjuma Saliu on stop and search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State has surrendered to the Police Investigation Team on wait at his residence, today, 4th January, 2019 at about 1500hrs.

2. The Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.

3. The Police Investigation Team had since 28th December, 2018 at about 1000hrs arrived the residence of Senator Dino Melaye with a duly obtained Warrant of Arrest to effect his arrest to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command. Senator Dino Melaye on sighting the Police Team locked up himself in the building to evade arrest.

4. The Warrant of Arrest was obtained after Senator Dino Melaye refused to honour Police invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26th July, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command.

5. The Police Investigation Team cordoned off the building and continued to be in wait for eight (8) days for Senator Dino Melaye to obey the law and surrender himself for arrest.

6. While the Police Investigation Team was waiting, Senator Dino Melaye granted an interview monitored on Television Stations that he was not in Abuja. This claim eventually was discovered to be completely false as Senator Dino Melaye surrendered to the waiting Police Investigation Team today at his residence in Abuja at about 1500hrs.

7. Senator Dino Melaye is currently in Police custody for investigation, and subsequently, taken to Police hospital, Abuja for medical attention and he is in stable condition. Investigation into the case of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide against him is on-going.

8. The case will be taken to court on completion of investigation. ​

Ag. DCP JIMOH MOSHOOD
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA