A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu has granted bail to Senator Dino Melaye who was arraigned on an eight-count charge of evading arrest, conspiracy, resistance to arrest, failure to honour police invitation and intentionally giving false information to the public.
While ruling on the application filed by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Justice Halilu held that the essence of bail could not be overemphasized, saying that it was meant to make a defendant to stand for trial.
According to him, in granting a defendant bail, the court has to consider the nature of the charge, the antecedent of the bail applicant, among others. The judge, therefore, upheld the earlier bail granted the Melaye on January 18 and added that Melaye should not leave the shores of the country without a written application to the court.
The judge also directed Ozekhome to warn his client to ensure that he does not comment on the matter before the court in any media. He then adjourned the case until February 25 for commencement of trial.