ABUJA COURT ORDERS ARREST OF PDP'S TURAKI OVER ALLEGED FALSE INFORMATION

Abuja - A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the sacked factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), whose claim to the party’s national chairmanship has been nullified by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, following his failure to appear in court for arraignment.

The presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, gave the order on Thursday after the defendant was absent when the matter was called.

Turaki is to be arraigned on a one-count criminal charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, accusing him of providing false information to the police.

At the proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, informed the court that the case was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea. He noted that despite being duly served with both the charge and hearing notice, Turaki failed to appear in court.

Rabiu subsequently invoked Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, urging the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s attendance.

The prosecution also opposed the position of defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), who had filed a motion seeking to quash the charge. Rabiu argued that such an application could only be entertained after the defendant had taken his plea.

In response, Ibrahim urged the court to grant him five days to file written addresses in support of his motion, contending that his client’s presence was not required until the application was determined.

However, in his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the defendant’s absence was unjustified, especially as there was no dispute that he had been duly served with the court processes.

The judge emphasized that under Section 396(2) of the ACJA, where a defendant is aware of a pending charge but fails to appear in court without explanation, the appropriate order is the issuance of a bench warrant to ensure his production before the court.

He further ruled that the motion to quash the charge was premature and could only be considered after the defendant’s plea had been taken.

Consequently, the court issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest and adjourned the case to April 22, 2026, for his arraignment.

According to the charge marked CR/647/2026, Turaki is alleged to have, on October 5, 2022, in Abuja, submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police containing false information against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara.

The prosecution alleges that the petition was made with intent to invoke the lawful powers of the police to cause injury or annoyance to the said Mainasara, an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

The case is expected to resume upon the defendant’s appearance before the court.