MAGISTRATE FINDS SOMETHING STRANGE IN DINO MELAYE'S TRIAL

The trial of the Senator Dino Melaye  has been adjourned because of certain issues which was identified by  Sulyman Abdullah,  the Senior Magistrate.

Senator Melaye has been indicted for illegal possession and dealing in arms.The police commented that some suspects claimed they were handed arms by the Senator. The Senator has produced a 'music video' in defence of the allegation put against him.

Before the case was adjourned, the senior Magistrate expressed some concerns about matters he observed. 

 He stated:“This is a case that this court will appreciate that everyone puts what he or she has on the table. I am not comfortable with sworn depositions replacing oral testimonies of witnesses.

“The application of the prosecution is refused and I want this trial to be concluded in the normal ways trials are done and will be ready to take evidence day-to-day if need be."

It was submitted that the court had jurisdiction to try the case and because of this, the court was urged go ahead to take the pleas of the defendants.

Melaye, who was granted bail on May 16 by Justice Nasir Ajanah,the Chief Judge of the State, had taken plea along with the other defendants, saying that the allegations were false, just like he had stated in one of his videos.

 Counsel to Senator Melaye, Yemi Mohammed, holding brief for Mike Ozekhome,, objected to the application to adopt the depositions and have their depositions cross examined. The counsel  insisted that the case has criminal implications in which witnesses must give their testimonies in open court.

The Senator was arraigned along with Nuhu Salihu, 25, aka “Small”and Kabiru Seidu, 31, aka “Osama”

After listening to both parties, Senior Magistrate Abdullah, adjourned the case till July 26, saying that  time will be given to both parties to enable a good preparation for the  to  hearing.