By Jane Okafor, Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), the self-styled factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
following his failure to appear in court.
Justice Peter Kekemeke gave the order on Thursday after Turaki did not attend proceedings for his arraignment on a one-count criminal charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), accusing him of providing false information to the police.
When the case was called, prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea. He noted that Turaki had been duly served with the charge and hearing notice but was absent without explanation.
The charge, marked CR/647/2026, alleges that Turaki, on October 5, 2022, in Abuja, submitted a petition to the IGP containing false information against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara, with intent to misuse police authority to harm or annoy the said individual—an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code.
Invoking Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the court to issue a bench warrant to compel Turaki’s appearance.
Defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that a pending motion seeking to quash the charge should be determined first. He requested five days to file written addresses, insisting his client’s presence was not required at this stage.
However, the prosecution countered that any challenge to the charge could only be entertained after the defendant had entered his plea.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that Turaki’s absence was unjustified, especially as he had been properly served with court processes. He noted that the defence did not deny service of the hearing notice and failed to provide reasons for the defendant’s absence.
The judge ruled that under Section 396(2) of the ACJA, the appropriate step where a defendant deliberately stays away from court is to issue a bench warrant to ensure his appearance.
He further held that the motion to quash the charge was premature and could only be heard after arraignment.
Consequently, the court ordered Turaki’s arrest to compel his attendance and adjourned the matter to April 22 for arraignment.
