7th December, 2010
Dino Melaye, the leader of the five progressives in the House of Representatives whose suspension was voided by an Abuja High Court last week was refused entry into the National Assembly this morning.
The House of Representatives’ member who arrived at the gate of the National Assembly around 10 a.m. was barred from entering the National Assembly as the gate to the sprawling complex was locked against him. Dino however left and according to reports briefly blocked the entrance to the lawmaking building with some vehicles later.
There were reports that he may have been arrested by the Police, though this cannot be confirmed as at the time of writing this story.
It will be recalled that the leadership of the House of Representatives had filed an appeal against last week’s judgment which was in favour of Dino and his group.
The offices of the Kogi State lawmaker and those of his colleagues have also been allocated to other legislators. Attempt by Dino yesterday to eject the new occupant of his office, Buba Jubril was not successful.
Dino and members of his group were suspended following the fracas that broke out on June 22 over allegations by the Progressives that the Dimeji Bankole-led leadership of the House of Representatives mismanaged N9 billion capital vote.
—Oluokun ayorinde/Abuja