Senate adjourns plenary to visit Dino Melaye in hospital

Dino Melaye

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday ended its plenary early to visit their colleague, Senator Dino Melaye, who was arrested at an Abuja hospital on Tuesday night.

Melaye, representing Kogi West, was arrested for the third in two days following his hospitalisation after jumping from a moving police vehicle taking him to his home state where he is accused of illegal possession of firearms.

He was first admitted at Zankli Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory from where he was arrested by the police and taken to the National Hospital.

Speaking on the matter, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central, moved a motion that the Senate should adjourn plenary to immediately ascertain Melaye’s whereabouts.

Mrs Tinubu’s suggestion came after others said they were turned back while attempting to visit Melaye at the hospital.

The plenary was thereafter adjourned after a voice vote.

In a related development, the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before it on Thursday to explain the circumstances of Melaye’s arrest

Mr Idris, who will also be questioned on the growing insecurity in parts of the country, is to appear by 11 am on Thursday morning, Senate President Bukola Saraki announced.