Alleged Gun-Running: Panic in Saraki Camp as Dino Melaye hides in Ghana

Source: Tempo News

There is palpable tension in the camp of supporters of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki over the inability of one of his diehard supporters, Senator Dino Melaye to return to the country from Ghana, where is suspected to have gone into hiding, after accusation of arming young men to wreck havoc in Kogi state and make it ungovernable.

Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood had paraded 31-years old Kabiru Saidu alongside 25-years old Nuhu Salisu after their arrest on January 19 at Ogojueje in Dekina local government area of Kogi state, alleging the men had confessed to be working for the senator.

Police said they seized two AK47 rifles, five pump action guns, two locally made pistols and heaps of charms from the thugs and their gang members.

The force disclosed that the hoodlums similarly confessed of involvement in several kidnappings and working as political thugs to politicians.

But the Police said it has filed a case at a Lokoja Court accusing the Senator and three others of illegal possession of firearms.

“A case of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms have therefore been filed by the Nigeria Police Force at Federal High Court Lokoja on 16th March, 2018 against the two suspects mentioned above, Senator Dino Melaye and Alh. Mohammed Audu who is also a suspect in the matter and is now on the run,” Police said.

However, amidst fears that he could be immediately arrested on stepping into the country following the charge, Melaye, who was in the country after the allegation immediately left the country to Ghana, where he is believed to be in hiding pending the time the Saraki would guarantee soft landing for him.

The Senate President, who is a political associate of the embattled Melaye, is reportedly making overtures to Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector General of Police for Melaye’s return without backlash.

This is certainly not the best of time for the senator representing Kogi West in the Upper chamber of the National Assembly, Dino Melaye.

TEMPO was told that Saraki is particularly worried that silencing Melaye would have damaging consequences on his grip on the upper chamber where his camp and those loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari are slugging it out over 2019 elections’ schedule.

The lawmaker, who is facing recall ordeal from his constituents, is accused this week of arming young men to wreck havoc and make Kogi, his state ungovernable for Governor Yahaya Bello. Both men belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Melaye is a staunch supporter of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and arrowhead of plot to install the Kwara state political bigwig against the wishes of his party at the helm of the Nigerian senate.

The Senator denied the allegation, describing it as preposterous and laughable; saying it was “fabricated lies by the Kogi State Government and the police” which will fail.

Going further, the Senator said the move was “an attempt to shut me up and stop me from speaking the truth, but they have failed. It is an orchestrated lie by the Governor and the police.”

A close aide of Melaye who did not want to be named, told TEMPO that the senator was not in hiding in the West African country.

He said Melaye was in the country when the allegation was made and since he did nothing wrong, there was no ground to shut him out of circulation over an offense he did not commit.

He described the insinuation of panic by the leadership of the senate as untrue, expressing confidence that tissues of lies against the embattled lawmaker would fizzle out soon describing it as merely political figment of the imagination.

When asked when the Kogi lawmaker is expected back in the country, he simply said, “weekend”.