Following
the ruling of theFederal High Court that
sat in Abuja on Wednesday, October 5th, in which Senator Dino Melaye was to get
a N10million award for damages. Justice Gabriel Kolawole granted N10 million for
damages made to Melaye, for a lawsuit
filed by the senator against the Inspector General of Police.
Senator Melaye filed a lawsuit in 2014 after the police stopped him from
protesting against former Aviation minister, Stella Oduah, who was fingered in
a scam for authorizing the purchase of two exorbitant bulletproof BMW cars for
her personal use.
Police had mal handled and detainedMelaye briefly as he led a group of
protesters against the former minister, who is now a senator representing
Anambra state, Nigeria. The police had earlier justified their actions on the
grounds that Mr. Melaye and his fellow protesters had not obtained permission
to carry on a protest. Sahara Reporters
report that Justice Kolawole ruled that the police violated Mr. Melaye’s rights
through their actions, and awarded N10 million for damages caused to the senator. However, in a parting
shot, the judge reportedly tagged Mr Melaye as a “self-styled” anti-corruption
activist. He said he awarded the cost to the plaintiff on the grounds that Nigerians
have a right to peaceful protest, but also said that Melaye now become a
senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The usually charismatic and
vociferous senator made joyfull noise for his court victory. Meanwhile, the
senator representing Kogi Central senatorial district has got a new supercar for himself which worth about N180million.
Premium Times reports that Melaye, who already owns a fleet of luxury and
antiquated cars worth billions of Naira, has acquired a 93-year-old Rolls
Royce. The Rolls Royce has the customized license plates “MELAYE 2” and is
believed to cost some $400,000 though Nigeria is in recession.
