Dino Melaye’s Arraignment Humiliating, Violates Human Right – Femi Falana

The renowned Nigerian human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) had condemned the unjust arraignment of Senator Dino Melaye in a stretcher in Lokoja on Thursday.

He said it is unacceptable in a civilized society.

Melaye was arraigned at an Abuja court on Wednesday, where he was re-arrested for re-arraignment on Thursday at a Kogi court on allegations basically on gun possession.

After losing his appeal for bail he was put in Police custody where he will spend up to five weeks.

Speaking over the court’s verdict, Falana said:

“It is particularly degrading and humiliating as it violates the fundamental right to the dignity of his person guaranteed by Section 34 of the Constitution and Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

“Even though the senator has my sympathy it is indistinguishable that he has only been given a little dose of the humiliating treatment that is daily meted out to the flotsam and jetsam of our unjust society by the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria”.

“Therefore, the senator’s case should not be treated in isolation by the Senate and the bourgeois media. While the solidarity of the federal legislators with Senator Melaye is understandable the tragic turn of events calls for sober reflection.

“Apart from joining the call for the immediate release of Sheik Ibraheem El Zakzaky and Col.  Sambo Dasuki (retd) in line with the valid and subsisting orders of competent courts the National Assembly is called upon to take advantage of Senator Melaye’s case to adopt and domesticate the United Nations Minimum Standard for the Treatment of Criminal Suspects in Nigeria without any delay”, he ended with the suggestion to the National Assembly.