Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has called on the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye to end the siege at his residence by submitting to the Police.
He, however, cautioned the Police to conduct Melaye’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution in strict compliance with the relevant provisions of the penal statutes and the Constitution.
In a statement made available to the press on Thursday 3rd January 2019, Falana bemoaned the Police for the sensationalization of the planned arrest of the Senator. In his words: “The fundamental right of every citizen to personal liberty is guaranteed by section 35 of the Constitution of Nigeria and article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. Although, he recounted that the right may be violated by the State if there is reasonable suspicion that any citizen has committed a criminal offense.
Convinced that the Senator has decided not to submit himself for investigation, a team of police personnel has surrounded his residence with a view to effecting his arrest. The siege to the “house by the Police has needlessly lasted for 7 days. It has been reported that the supply of electricity and water to the house has been disconnected by the Police.
Recall that the Nigeria Police recently announced its plan to arrest Senator Dino on the allegation that he has committed the offenses of criminal conspiracy and attempted culpable homicide. The embattled Senator did not respond to the invitation of the Police on the grounds that the permission of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki was not sought for and obtained.
Similarly, the lawmaker representing Kaduna Central district in the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani has advised his colleague Senator Dino Melaye to submit himself to police with his legal team.
The siege on Melaye’s residence came within 48 hours after the Senator representing Kogi West raised the alarm that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, had plans to arrest and inject him to death. Senator Sani also noted that the method employed by the police to arrest the lawmaker was not good for the image of the force.
Shehu Sani tweeted, ”The police should end the siege on Senator Dino’s House and the Senator should voluntarily present himself to the police with his legal team. “The Gaza treatment is unhelpful to the image of the Police, the Government and the nation.”
