Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court in Apo area of Abuja yesterday granted Kogi West senator, Mr. Dino Melaye bail in the sum of N5 million in the case of attempted suicide and attempt to accept from custody.
The senator who was arraigned yesterday on a six-count charge bordering on the alleged offences which Melaye denied committing.
The judge said he was aware that the court had granted bail to the defendant when he was arraigned on July 25, 2018 on the same charges.
He said the earlier bail conditions, which included the sum of N5 million and two sureties in like sum were still valid and should be sustained in the current charges.
In the earlier bail condition, Melaye was to produce two sureties who must be directors in the civil service, reside in the FCT, and depose to affidavits of means.
The prosecuting counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offences on April 24.
He said the senator, while being conveyed in a police vehicle to Lokoja, allegedly forced his way out of the vehicle and attempted to escape.
Izinyon said the defendant held a substance in his hand and threatened to drink it to kill himself so that he would put the police officers in trouble.
The prosecutor also said the defendant broke the glass of the vehicle with his elbow and caused damage to police property.
He said the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 148, 153, 173, 231, 326 and 327 of the Penal Code.
Counsel to the defendant, Chief Mike Ozekhome was, however, not in court.
The judge adjourned the case until April 5, for hearing.
