Police in Nigeria have brought flamboyant senator Dino Melaye to court in the capital, Abuja, on a stretcher.

He has been under police guard in hospital since last week after he sustained injuries while allegedly trying to escape by jumping out of a police vehicle. His allies say he was pushed.

The magistrate court set bail at 90m naira ($250,000; £184,000), according to Sahara Reporters.

Mr Melaye - the senator for Kogi West in central Nigeria - was detained over allegations that he supplied illegal weapons to his political supporters.

He denies the allegation, saying he is a victim of a plot to end his political career.

He is known to be at loggerheads with Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello, even though they both belong to the ruling party.

At the weekend, the election commission threw out a petition to force him to step down as a senator, saying only about 5% of signatures - 18,742 out of 189,870 - could be verified.

The senator is well known for his love of luxury cars, champagne and designer clothes, once appearing in a music video depicting his lavish lifestyle.

The song Dino, named after Dino Melaye, features lyrics like "100 cars in the parking lot like I'm Dino".

The video shows rapper Kach pretending to eat dollar bills, displaying expensive cars, a mansion, jewellery and shoes.

Mr Melaye has gained the nickname of the "singing senator" for posting videos on social media taunting a rival in song.