A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Nigeria Police to show cause over its continued detention of Senator Representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye. According to NAN, Justice Yusuf Halilu gave the order after Melaye’s counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court that his client has been in police custody since Jan. 4 against what the law stipulated.
“We are talking about the liberty of a citizen not because he is a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but a citizen, this is contrary to sections 35 and 36 of the constitution of Nigeria.
“If you keep a man for 13 days, you have already presumed him guilty, ” he added.
Responding, the Judge explained that the police was put on notice to come and show cause why the detained senator should not be granted bail.
“The court was approached by the police for his custody and the court granted it, and now the court ordered that the police should come and explain why he would not be released.
“I granted an order on Jan. 14, that the police should come and show cause,’’ the judge said.
He, however, adjourned hearing till Jan. 18, to enable the respondent file his reply on the applicant. Mr. Simon Lough the Respondent had told the Court that he only got the motion on notice on Jan. 16, and needed five days according to law to reply. He added that he was not aware of the previous order to show cause for continued detention.
