ABUJA—Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye announced Monday that he has been acquitted of all 12 charges filed against him by the Nigerian government, bringing an end to a six-year legal battle.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Melaye expressed relief and gratitude. “Justice served after 6 years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised. Sen Dino Melaye 12 – Federal Government and IGP 0. EN. 12 cases all won by God. PROF MIKE OZEKHOME AND RICKY TAFA THANK YOU. NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER,” he posted.
The former senator’s most recent victory came from a ruling by Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital High Court in Maitama, where Melaye was cleared of charges related to providing false information concerning an alleged assassination attempt on his life in 2017.
The case originated in February 2018, when Melaye was accused of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the then Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, in a purported assassination plot. According to the government, Melaye’s claims were unsubstantiated.
The legal proceedings were initially marred by delays, including the death of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, who was presiding over the case, during a cross-over service on December 31, 2017. Despite these setbacks, Melaye maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty when formally charged by the Attorney General’s Office on January 31, 2018.
In addition to the 2017 allegations, Melaye faced other accusations, including claims he made in July 2018 that the Kogi State Police Command had attempted to kill him. The senator alleged that his security details had been involved in a shooting with policemen conducting ‘stop and search’ operations in Mopa. In 2019, Melaye again accused the Kogi State government of conspiracy against his life, which the state authorities firmly denied.
Melaye’s acquittal marks the conclusion of a long and contentious legal saga that has seen the outspoken politician repeatedly challenging the state. As he emerges victorious, Melaye remains defiant, declaring, “No retreat, no surrender.”
