A group has called for the arrest of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dino Melaye, in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi state over his alleged involvement in Murder.
This call was made by a coalition of civil society groups.
The groups, in a press briefing, accused Melaye and the PDP of instigating the violence that led to the alleged murder of his political opponents when he contested and won the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency seat in the 2007 House of Representatives election.
They also urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to order Melaye’s arrest and order the relevant authority involved in the investigation of the 2007 incident to make their report public.
The convener of the group, Wisdom Chinedu, said: “We are calling the attention of the security agency to the unresolved alleged murders following a petition received from the bereaved families of the victims.”
He further noted that the civil society group has reliable sources who said the police investigated the alleged murders but failed to release the outcome and make any arrests 16 years later.
The group, therefore, urged the newly appointed IGP to order the release of the probe or direct the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State Command and the DPO in charge of Kabba/Bunu to commence a fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged murders.
“Families of these two gentlemen murdered in these circumstances are still bleeding in their hearts. The souls of their breadwinners are yet to find rest because justice has not been served on their behalf,” Chinedu said.
The group also demanded that all those involved in causing the 2007 mayhem either directly or indirectly be made to face justice.
Chinedu further noted: “Interestingly, the perpetrators are still alive and those who saw them unleash the mayhem are still there to testify in the court.”
The civil society group added that its call for justice regarding the 2007 mayhem has become even more necessary in view of the allegations of violent threats from the PDP governorship candidate in the forthcoming November 11 poll.
The group said it has received reports that suggest that the former Kogi West senator has allegedly paid some hoodlums linked to the 2007 mayhem.
It stated: “We do not want a repeat of the 2007 scenario, especially at a moment when we should be consolidating on the gains of our democratic journey since 1999.
“We do not wish to be taken to the dark days when people sat on mandates of blood and tears. A quick action from the Inspector General of Police could save the day.”
