Effort by Senator Dino Melaye to force the police laying siege to his Abuja residence to vacate the building failed on Thursday.
Melaye had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order to vacate the building, but the judge, Justice N.E. Maha, refused to grant the order.
Rather, he gave the order that the substantive suit be given accelerated hearing.
Melaye who was represented at the court by Nkem Okoro of the Mike Ozekhome (SAN) Chambers sought for the enforcement of his fundamental human right.
Justice Maha adjourned the case till January 14.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force had declared that its men would not vacate the senator’s residence until he surrendered himself.
The police accused Melaye of shooting a policeman, Sergeant Danjuma Saliu, who was on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State.
Saliu is said to be attached to the 37 Police Mobile Force, PMF.
The decision of the police to remain in Melaye’s house is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood
The police said he was being wanted for attempted culpable homicide.
Said Moshood: “The above offence was committed by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs in Kogi State on the 19th July, 2018 when they shot and wounded a police officer, Sgt Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) while on duty at a stop and search point along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State. The Police Officer is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care.
“The Police investigators have written the Clerk of the National Assembly for Senator Dino Melaye to report at Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja for him to answer to these offences against him under investigation in Kogi State Police Command but he has bluntly refused to report himself to the Police.
“The Police operatives will continue to be in wait at the residence of Senator Dino Melaye until he surrenders himself for arrest. The offence for which Senator Dino Melaye is being investigated is capital in nature and not compoundable.
“The Force will not tolerate attack on his personnel by any individual no matter how highly placed. The law must take its course.
“Members of the public will be kept informed on further development in the investigation of the matter.”
