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Order the Release of Dino Melaye, Reps Candidate Appeals to Buhari, IG

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A House of Representatives candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari’ and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to release the Senator Dino Melaye.

The House of Representatives hopeful, who intends to represent Estako Edo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, said it is unlawful to continue to detain someone who has not been found guilty of any offence, and even deny him medication.

Aghomhere believes that Melaye will win his election and should be allowed freedom to campaign.

Below is detailed text of the appeal:

A PASSIONATE APPEAL TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE TO RELEASE SEN. DINO MELAYE FROM POLICE CUSTODY AS DINO WILL BE RE-ELECTED WHETHER DETAINED, DEAD OR ALIVE

This is to prevail on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, to order the Inspector General Police, to release Senator Dino Melaye, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing the good people of Kogi West, from Police custody.

There is no gainsaying the fact that Senator Dino Melaye is the most honest, factual and vibrant member of the National Assembly and has maintained these sterling qualities which he has always placed above party and self, but for the sustenance of our democracy.

Senator Dino is being unlawfully detained in the Police custody over a mere allegation of suspected or perceived thugs shooting and injuring a Police officer.

Can anyone be vicariously liable for an offence allegedly committed by persons being suspected or perceived to be his thugs, when they are not even known to him under the Nigerian law?

Senator Dino Melaye has severally denied having any thug or thugs, and if any body or group actually assaulted any Police officer in the presence of the Senator, as being alleged, it is the duty of the Police to launch a total manhunt on such alleged thugs, and not Senator Dino, whom no clear evidence has linked to any thug.

The continuous detention of Senator Melaye is against the spirit of natural justice, denying him access to good medicare to attend to his deteriorating health is a violation of our constitution, while denying the candidate of a political party freedom of movement to campaign for his or her election is rigging and a rape of our democracy.

The presumption of innocence is a constitutional right of every person as provided in Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states that “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he is proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction”. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act also holds this law sacrosanct. Denying Senator Dino Melaye access to medicare or granting him bail to attend to his health is a fundamental breach of his freedom to life, freedom of movement and a blatant disrespect for the Constitution of Nigeria which holds all Nigerians together.

The position of the law as it pertains to arrest and detention, irrespective of the offence committed is that, the Police has the right to detain an individual for up to 24hours before being charged with a crime or get the person released, while the person can be held back for a maximum of 96hours if he is being suspected of a serious crime, e. g murder, but in this case, he is not being suspected directly or indirectly for murder, but for a mere allegation, and this can be considered a witch-hurt and decor to prevent him from being re-elected as the Kogi West People have vowed to re-elect Dino Melaye whether dead or alive.

The Nigerian society is rife with the believe that the Inspector General of Police is acting out a prepared script by the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to detain him in Police custody in order to prevent him from carrying out his campaigns ahead of the forthcoming elections, thereby denying him of his franchise. This act is against the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly, Article 25, which recognises that every citizen has the right “to vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors…”

In the light of the above I urge Mr. President to show respect for the Constitution and Laws of the Federation of Nigerian and direct the Inspector General of Police to release Senator Dino Melaye from Police custody to enable him attend to his deteriorating health condition and subsequently campaign for his re-election ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Dr. Blessing Agbomhere
PDP House of Representatives Candidate
Etsako-Edo Federal Constituency

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Police Probe Four Officers Accused of ‘Misconduct’ in Lagos

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The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos State, after a viral social media video.

The Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The complainant, Rhapstar, posted the video on X on April 4, alleging incivility by officers on surveillance duty.

In the clip, police officers stopped a vehicle, ordered occupants out, and searched one individual away from the roadside-parked vehicle.

The incident triggered widespread reaction, amid concerns over alleged harassment during a roadside stop-and-search operation.

Speaking on the incident on Saturday, Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and implicated officers were summoned, adding that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Giwa wrote on X: “When (Rhapstar) posted the viral video on 4 April 2026, alleging misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, we took the matter seriously and acted immediately.

“The DPO and the officers involved were summoned, statements were obtained, and detailed interviews were conducted.

“Preliminary findings indicate the incident occurred in May 2025. We are working to obtain additional details directly from the victims, as their accounts are central to the investigation.

“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability.

“The leadership of the Force management team has emphasised that the rule of law is non-negotiable in the discharge of police duties nationwide. No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate. The investigation is ongoing. We will provide regular updates.

“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be.”

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Turaki Faction Kicks As Police Unseal PDP Secretariat

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The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of acting in contempt of court following the unsealing of its National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the development as a partisan move that undermines the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the police facilitated the takeover of the Wadata Plaza headquarters by individuals he described as “agents of the federal government and APC apologists masquerading as PDP members,” despite a pending appeal on the matter.

The PDP maintained that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik, which the police purportedly relied upon in unsealing the premises, is already under appeal.

According to the party, the police, being a party to the suit, had been duly served and were fully aware of the appellate process.

It argued that by proceeding to unseal the secretariat, the police had “tampered with the res”, (a legal terminology referring to the subject matter of litigation) thereby risking rendering the eventual judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory.

“It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” the statement read.

The party expressed disappointment that the police, under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police, has continued what it described as a pattern of partisan conduct since the crisis began.

It alleged that officers of the force had consistently acted in support of a faction it labelled as “Wike-backed APC apologists,” thereby deepening internal tensions within the opposition party.

Despite its grievances, the PDP called on its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of public order.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace,” the statement added, while pledging to pursue all legal avenues to defend the rights of what it termed “genuine members” of the party.

The party also assured the public that it remained optimistic that the situation would be resolved in favour of democratic principles, warning against what it described as a “state-sponsored persecution and one-party drive.”

Invoking a note of hope, the PDP said the current challenges would ultimately give way to “joy and liberation,” expressing confidence in the restoration of what it called true democratic experience in the country.

The unsealing of the PDP secretariat marks the latest twist in the protracted leadership and legal tussle within the party, which has continued to generate political tension and raise concerns about institutional neutrality in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Why Tinubu Was Absent at Commissioning of Sanwo-Olu’s Projects in Lagos – Presidency

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The Presidency has come up with reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s absent at the commissioning of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s projects in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Tinubu was noticeably absent at the scheduled project commissioning in Lagos, sparking public curiosity.

However, Sunday Dare, his Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, has clarified the reason behind the last-minute development.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dare revealed that the President had to prioritise urgent national security matters over the event.
According to him, although Tinubu is currently in Lagos, he has been deeply engaged in high-level State duties, particularly ongoing security briefings tied to recent developments across the country.

“The president has been busy taking constant briefs and has to prioritise when it comes to state matters, especially security,” Dare stated.

He referenced rising security concerns, including recent unrest linked to incidents in Jos, noting that the President has been closely monitoring the situation and working directly with intelligence agencies.

Dare emphasised that Tinubu remains fully engaged behind the scenes, actively coordinating with security operatives and receiving continuous updates to address emerging threats.

The absence, he stressed, should not be seen as neglect of official duties but rather a reflection of the President’s focus on safeguarding national stability at a critical time.

Tinubu skipped the Lagos commissioning not out of disregard, but to handle pressing security issues demanding immediate presidential attention.

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