Court Orders Arrest of PDP Factional Chairman Turaki
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), after he failed to appear in court for arraignment over an alleged criminal offence.
Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the order on Thursday when Turaki was absent from court despite reportedly being served with the charge and a hearing notice.
The Inspector General of Police had filed a one-count charge against Turaki, accusing him of giving false information to the police.
When the matter was called, prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, told the court that the case was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea.
Rabiu said Turaki was not in court even though he had been duly informed of the proceedings.
He then relied on Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance.
The prosecution also opposed the defence’s attempt to rely on a motion seeking to quash the charge.
Rabiu argued that the defence could not challenge the validity of the charge until the defendant had first entered his plea.
However, Turaki’s lawyer, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), asked the court for five more days to file written addresses.
He argued that his client’s presence was not necessary until the pending motion had been determined.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that Turaki acted wrongly by failing to attend court despite being aware of the proceedings.
The judge noted that the defence did not deny that the defendant had been served with both the hearing notice and the charge.
He added that no reason was given for Turaki’s absence.
Justice Kekemeke held that under Section 396(2) of the ACJA, where a defendant is aware of a pending charge but fails to appear, the proper order is to issue a bench warrant to ensure the person is brought before the court.
He also ruled that the motion seeking to quash the charge was premature and could only be entertained after the defendant had taken his plea.
The court subsequently issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest and adjourned the matter until April 22 for arraignment.
The charge, marked CR/647/2026, alleged that Turaki, on October 5, 2022, submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja containing false information against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara.
According to the charge, the alleged act was intended to use the lawful powers of the police to the injury or annoyance of Mainasara, contrary to Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.
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