EMBATTLED senator representing
Kogi West senatorial district in the upper legislative chamber, Dino Melaye
elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is indeed
between a rock and a hard place. Despite the initial criminal allegations
leveled against him by the Nigerian Police Force, the controversial lawmaker
recklessly complicated his predicaments that the end may never come soon.
Prior
to the criminal allegations against the lawmaker, Melaye was facing a recall
action from his constituencies since last year but by legal actions, delayed
the recall action especially the judges’ annual vacation which worked to his
advantage.
Finally, the people have spoken by
not endorsing the recall. It is indeed a victory for democracy. The electoral
umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is commended for
ensuring that it carried its statutory duties accordingly without intimidations,
fear or favour to the parties. The judiciary too is extolled for enabling the
umpire proceed with its duties as assigned without hitches. Election and recall
are emphatically exclusive rights of the people. It is immaterial if recall is
orchestrated by propaganda, vendetta or political motives as Melaye contended
before the court. What is paramount is that the people must evidently always
give the final shot and not injunctions. As they have spoken by distancing
themselves from the action, that's final. Thus, kudos to the court, electoral
umpire and the people.
Incidentally, whilst the recall
attempt was in murky waters due to rigorous processes, the embattled lawmaker
yet again was implicated in some unhallowed and criminal acts with inmates;
alleged to be his gang with guns and funded with huge sums of money for yet to
be disclosed assignments for the senator. The Police accordingly, severally
invited Melaye for interrogations alongside his arraignment in Kogi State to no
avail until his recent arrest. But abysmally, on the way, his cronies ambushed
the Police leading to his attempted escape by jumping away from a moving
vehicle. In the process, Melaye sustained injuries and undergoing treatment
presently at the National Hospital after evacuation from a private clinic by
the police.
By and large, apart from the
recall action which finally hit the brick wall, Melaye is simultaneously
battling with two more serious issues; criminal charges of unlawful possession
of arms alongside two others and escape from lawful custody of the Police. The
recall action which will at most sack him from the Senate failed as the
electoral umpire failed to meet the prerequisite in the verification exercise which
implied that the people didn't endorse the action or probably changed their
mind. Whatever be the case, the people decided. Had all the recall processes
succeeded against him, Melaye would still walk home a free man except to lose
all entitlements and benefits as a serving senator, thereby only deprive him of
the jumbo allowances including the outrageous running costs prevalent in the
legislative arm. Unfortunately, the other two are crimes punishable with terms
of imprisonment under the Criminal Code (Laws of the Federation) which would
automatically remove any public officeholder from office including a senator if
convicted. If found guilty, he will literally be reduced to a convict even if
he pays fines, and consequently ruin his political career for a period of ten
years. This is on account that fine on conviction and jail terms are equivalent
in law.
Statutorily, a convict is
ineligible for election to the Senate pursuant to Section 66(1)(c) and (d) of
the 1999 Constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. In other words,
if convicted and sentenced, the Attorney General of the Federation will expressly
approach the court ex parte to delist
his name as a senator of the 8th Senate. By implications, the senator is in a
pinch; still standing between the devil and the deep blue sea, as the
catastrophes distinctly, ultimately may lead to losing the seat in the Senate.
Obviously, Melaye was ill-advised to undertake the disgraceful misadventure
which worsened his crisis, and bolstered the Police to handcuff a serving
senator even on the sick bed as a common criminal which he overtly acted out by
the attempted escape from lawful custody. The reasons is that as a serving
senator, encircled by well-to-do political associates and friends, Melaye,
irrefutably could without any stress prearrange all the likely bail conditions
and confidently submit himself for arraignment in the court and secure his bail
immediately since the charges are all bailable offences.
To conclude, Melaye’s dramatic
jumping from a moving vehicle to escape from lawful custody irrespective of the
motives is grotesque and ignominious, and leaves much to be desired of a
“distinguished senator”. Above all, if the grievous allegations of involvement,
funding and supply of guns to criminals are substantiated, it boils down that
politicians are truly responsible for the gruesome and endless killings that
have sent countless innocent lives to early graves merely for selfish reasons.
Thus, whether allegiance in APC or oppositions, criminalities shouldn’t be
trivialized; let the law take its course. Nevertheless, congratulations to
Melaye for emerging triumphant in the first hurdle.
Umegboro, public affairs analyst writes from Abuja via umegborocarl@gmail.com (07057101974 SMS-only)
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