The House
of Representatives on Thursday issued a stern warning to security agencies,
particularly the Police, about the security of Senator Dino Melaye.
Melaye,
who represents Kogi-West Senatorial District at the Senate, was said to have
been driven in a police ambulance from Abuja to Lokoja on Thursday.
The
embattled senator was stretchered into the Magistrates’ Court in Lokoja, where
he was arraigned on gun-running allegations by the Police.
The
senator was later remanded in custody till June 11.
But the
House said in Abuja that the sight of Melaye on a stretcher was reminiscent of
that of a sick man who should have received medical attention before his
arraignment.
The
House’s reaction came after a member from Kogi State, Mr. Karimi Sunday, raised
a point of personal explanation on the floor to bring the “plight” of Melaye to
the attention of members.
Sunday had
alleged that Melaye was being persecuted by the Kogi State Government because
of his strong views on certain issues affecting the state.
He stated,
“Melaye is facing persecution from the state government because of his beliefs.
“We must
do all that is within our constitutional powers to ensure that the rule of law
prevails.
“What is
happening to Melaye today can happen to any of us tomorrow, if we keep quiet.”
The
Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, while ruling on the matter, said the House was
satisfied with the steps taken so far by the Senate and was solidly behind the
upper chamber.
“All I can
say at this point is that nothing must happen to Senator Melaye.
“If any
law has been breached, the Police must ensure that his life is secured first.
“If
anything happens to him, the security agencies will be held accountable.
“I have
not seen in any country where someone is arraigned on a stretcher to take
pleas. How do you even take his pleas?
“He must
be alive first to answer to your charges because his life comes before the
prosecution,” Dogara added.
- Punch
No comments:
Post a Comment