TheCable

The senate has adjourned plenary over the case of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west.

The Kogi lawmaker is said to be at the intensive care unit of the National Hospital, Abuja, at the moment.

Bala Na’Allah, deputy leader of the senate, disclosed this on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.

Na’Allah had been sent to find out the condition of Melaye who was taken to a hospital after he reportedly jumped out of a police vehicle which was conveying him to Kogi.

The lawmaker said only him two of his colleague were allowed to see Melaye.

“We went to the National Hospital this morning where Senator Dino was alleged to have been kept from yesterday and we confirmed that he was brought yesterday at about 11 pm,” he said.

“We spoke to the doctor who is in charge of the ICU and they assured us that they are doing everything humanly possible to stabilise him but he is in the intensive care unit. We tried as much as possible to see him but we were refused access. The instruction that was left by the police is that only Senator Abu Ibrahim and Senator Kaka are permitted to see him,” he said.

“As at the time we were leaving the hospital, an issue that the feeding of Dino has become an issue because the police are not willing to feed him because of the situation. They are afraid. The hospital has equally expressed reservations about feeding Senator Dino.

“A medical personnel from the police who is working together with the trauma surgeon handling Dino told us that whoever is bringing the food for Dino must taste it. There is also a report that Dino has asthma so a chest surgeon was the one seeing him while we were leaving.

“Lastly, there was an insistence to remove him from the National hospital but the management told them that an undertaking must be signed that whatever happens will be on them. That is what is keeping Dino at the National Hospital till date because nobody is willing to sign.”

Senate President Bukola Saraki led some senators to the hospital after a unanimous agreement in the upper legislative chamber.

Shehu Sani, a senator from Kaduna, and Ahmad Lawan, senate majority leader, were among the senators who accompanied Saraki.

Saraki later told reporters that Melaye is responding to treatment.

The senate has summoned Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, over Melaye’s issue.