PDP Factional Chairman, Turaki Takes Step On Court Arrest Order

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Thursday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki (SAN), for failing to appear in court for arraignment in a criminal case filed by the police.

The order was issued by the trial judge, Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who held that the defendant had no justification for his absence during the proceedings.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police.

The case involves a one-count charge accusing him of allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.

The matter had earlier come up for arraignment on January 28 but was stalled due to Turaki’s absence despite a previous court order directing him to appear.

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

Counsel to Turaki told the court that his absence was due to a petition submitted to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge.

The defence argued that the request was based on a lack of confidence in the court.

However, Justice Kekemeke ruled that filing a petition against a judge does not automatically halt criminal proceedings unless the Chief Judge issues a directive to that effect.

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

The case was later adjourned for further proceedings.

Turaki Challenges The Arrest Order

Reacting to the development, Turaki disclosed that his legal team had filed an appeal against the bench warrant along with an application for a stay of execution.

In a statement issued through his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Turaki explained that his absence from court was due to a sudden hospital visit.

The statement said, “The said petition was written in 2022, and the case emanating therefrom was charged to court today, but due to his sudden hospital visit, he was absent from court.

“Additionally, his lawyers had filed an application seeking to quash the charge, which ordinarily would not require his presence.”

The PDP chieftain also insisted that the case has no connection with the internal affairs of the party.

The statement added, “With the issuance of the bench warrant, his lawyers have immediately filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the said order.

“While it needs emphasising that this matter is completely unrelated to the Peoples Democratic Party or the contemporary issues arising therefrom, external political influence cannot be completely ruled out.”

He urged party members to remain calm, noting that his legal team is handling the matter.