A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered the arrest of Senator Kabiru Turaki (SAN), former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) sacked by the Court of Appeal.
The bench warrant was issued after Turaki failed to appear for arraignment in a one-count criminal charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police. Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, is accused of giving false information.
Justice Peter Kekemeke held that Turaki’s absence was unjustified, noting that he had been duly served with the charge and hearing notice.
The judge also ruled that the motion to quash the charge was premature and could only be considered after Turaki had entered his plea.
The court adjourned the case until April 22 for arraignment. The charge, CR/647/2026, alleges that Turaki, on or about October 5, 2022, in Abuja, gave false information to the police against Saidi Mohammed Mainasara, intending to misuse police powers, an offence under Section 140 of the Penal Code.
Turaki linked the warrant to possible political interference and explained that his absence was due to a sudden medical situation. A statement from his Principal Private Secretary said the petition forming the basis of the charge was written in 2022 when Turaki was acting as a private citizen, and it is unrelated to current PDP internal matters.
He also confirmed that his legal team had filed an appeal against the bench warrant and an application for a stay of execution. While stressing the case’s separation from contemporary political issues, Turaki added that external political influence could not be completely discounted.
