…produce the escaped suspects dead or alive, says Melaye
The Kogi State Police Command has declared the lawmaker representing the Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, wanted.
Also, the Police on Wednesday confirmed the escape from custody of two suspects arrested and paraded last week for allegedly working for the senator and the son of a former governor of Kogi State, Mohammed Audu.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Lokoja, the state capital, the Commissioner of Police, Ali Janga said the duo have been placed on Interpol watchlist.
Janga said the two suspects paraded last week, Kabir Seidu and Nuhu Salisu, were among six suspects that escaped from custody in the early hours of Wednesday.
The other escapees are Aliyu Isa, Adams Suleiman, Emmanuel Audu and Musa Mohammed.
The Police Commissioner said the Interpol had been notified to arrest the six suspects, including Dino Melaye and Mohammed Audu.
He added that five officers have been suspended while investigation into the matter has commenced.
He said, “Investigation into the unfortunate incident is ongoing, while thirteen police officers who were on duty when the incident occurred have been detained for interrogation.”
Meanwhile, Senator Dino Melaye, yesterday, threatened to sue Ibrahim Idris, Inspector-General of Police, if he failed to produce two suspects who levelled allegations against him.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, yesterday, Melaye said instead of producing the suspects in court, the prosecutor asked the judge to issue an arrest warrant, stressing that there were rumours that the suspects might have been killed.
He, therefore, urged the police to produce them “dead or alive.”
Melaye said: “Mr President, we were all supposed to appear before the Lokoja High Court this morning (yesterday). My lawyers were in court at 9 am and the case was called up and the prosecutor of Nigeria police could not produce the two persons.
“Instead of producing the two persons, they asked the judge for a bench warrant for an arrest but the judge refused to grant their prayers and the judge said despite the fact that I have not been served I sent representation to the court. And the main accused persons are absent in court
“So, she cannot grant a bench warrant and the matter has been adjourned till May 10. Mr President, I want to use the opportunity and on the principle of justice to call on the Inspector-General of Police that within 48 hours he must produce these accused persons because they are presumed innocent until proven guilty; they also have right to life.”
“So, police must as a matter of urgency, produce these two accused persons. Failure to do so, I will sue the Inspector-General of Police for mental assault. Nigeria is not a Banana Republic. They cannot escape, he must produce them dead or alive.”
