…Court issued warrant for his arrest
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama District, Abuja, on Thursday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), over his failure to appear in court for arraignment.
The Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has slammed one- count criminal charge against the PDP factional chairman Turaki for allegedly providing false information to the police in 2022.
The trial court judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, issued the warrant of arrest on Thursday after the defendant absence in court despite being duly served with the charge and a hearing notice.
When the matter was called
for arraignment, prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, told the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea.
He told the Court that all necessary court processes had been properly served on Turaki and that his absence was unjustified.
Rabiu therefore urged the court to invoke Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He prayed the court to issue a bench warrant to force the defendant’s appearance for arraignment.
In response, defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), informed that a motion had already been filed seeking to quash the charge. He requested for additional time to file written addresses, maintaining that his client’s presence in court was not necessary until the motion was determined.
The prosecution opposed the defendant argument, insisting that any challenge to the validity of the charge could only be entertained after the defendant had entered his plea.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the defendant’s failure to appear in court, despite being aware of the proceedings, was unjustified.
He noted that the defence did not dispute service of the hearing notice and failed to provide any explanation for Turaki’s absence.
The judge further ruled that, in line with Section 396(2) of the ACJA, the appropriate order in such circumstances is the issuance of a bench warrant to ensure the defendant is brought before the court.
He also held that the motion seeking to quash the charge was premature and could only be entertained and heard after the defendant’s arraignment.
Consequently, the court issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest and adjourned the case until April 22 for arraignment.
According to the charge marked CR/647/2026, Turaki is alleged to have, on October 5, 2022, submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police containing false information against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara, with the intent to misuse police authority to cause harm or annoyance.
The alleged offence is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.