Former Senator Dino Melaye has been acquitted in the last of twelve cases filed against him by the Federal Government, marking the end of a protracted legal battle that spanned six years.
According to The PUNCH, Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court in Maitama delivered the verdict, dismissing two charges that accused Melaye of providing false information about an alleged assassination attempt in 2017.
The case initially began in February 2018 when Melaye was accused of falsely implicating Edward Onoja, the former Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, in the assassination plot.
Following his acquittal, Melaye took to social media platform X on Monday to express gratitude to his legal team and reaffirm his faith in divine justice.
“Justice served after six years. Justice delayed is never justice denied. God alone be praised,” Melaye stated, adding, “SEN. DINO MELAYE 12 – FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND IGP 0. 12 CASES ALL WON BY GOD.”
Melaye’s legal troubles began when the Attorney General’s Office formally charged him in January 2018.
He was accused of making false claims about an assassination attempt in his hometown, Ayetoro-Gbede, Kogi State.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 1, 2018. However, the case saw several delays, including the untimely death of Justice Aromeh Benson Akogu, the initial judge overseeing the matter.
Over the years, Melaye also made other claims of assassination attempts. In July 2018, he accused the Kogi State police command of trying to kill him during a ‘stop and search’ operation.
He made similar allegations in March 2019, accusing the Kogi State government of conspiring against him allegations that were strongly denied by state authorities.
Melaye’s acquittal brings an end to what he describes as a long and trying journey, during which he maintained his innocence and faith in justice.
