An Abuja High Court has vacated the bench warrant it earlier issued for the arrest of factional Peoples Democratic Party national chairman, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN). The bench warrant had been granted after Turaki failed to appear for arraignment on a one count charge of allegedly giving false information to the police.
The charge stems from a petition he wrote in 2022 as a private citizen, accusing certain persons of wrongdoing. The Inspector General of Police later filed a case against him, alleging that the information in the petition was false.
Justice Peter Kekemeke had on March 25 ordered Turaki’s arrest, ruling that there was no justification for his absence in court. However, Turaki’s lawyers immediately appealed the order and filed an application for stay of execution, arguing that he missed the sitting due to a sudden hospital visit and that an application to quash the charge was already pending.
In a later sitting, the court agreed to set aside the arrest warrant after considering the defence’s explanations and pending processes. The judge then adjourned the matter to a new date to allow all parties regularise their filings before proceeding with the substantive case.
Turaki has alleged that there was external influence behind the initial decision to issue the warrant, a claim he made in a statement released through his media team. He maintained that he is not a fugitive and is prepared to defend himself against the allegation of giving false information.
With the bench warrant now vacated, the former minister is expected to attend court on the next adjourned date to take his plea once all preliminary objections are resolved. The case continues to generate political interest because of Turaki’s position in one of the rival factions within the PDP.
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