Court Issues Arrest Warrant For PDP Factional Chairman Kabiru Turaki

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki (SAN), a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following his failure to appear in court for arraignment in a criminal case filed by the police.

Presiding over the matter on Thursday, Justice U.P. Kekemeke ruled that Turaki had no valid excuse for his absence and consequently ordered his arrest.

Turaki, who previously served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a one-count charge of allegedly providing false information in a petition dated October 2022.

The case was initially scheduled for arraignment on January 28 but could not proceed due to the defendant’s absence, despite an earlier directive from the court mandating his appearance.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Turaki for failing to honour the summons.

In response, defence counsel explained that Turaki’s absence was due to a petition filed before the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge on the grounds of lack of confidence in the current court.

However, in his ruling, Justice Kekemeke clarified that the filing of such a petition does not automatically suspend criminal proceedings unless the Chief Judge issues a directive to that effect.

The judge subsequently granted the prosecution’s request and ordered that the defendant be arrested and brought before the court for arraignment.

The case has been adjourned for further proceedings.