A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Maitama has vacated an arrest warrant it issued against Kabiru Turaki, factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Peter Kekemeke, presiding judge, ordered Turaki’s arrest on March 26 after he failed to appear in court.
The prosecutor had also prayed the court for a bench warrant, noting that the politician has failed to appear in court to take his plea in the charge pending against him.
The inspector general of police (IGP) had filed a one-court charge against Turaki for allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.
At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, Turaki was present.
Chris Uche, counsel to the defendant, apologised for his client’s earlier absence, stating that Turaki holds the court in high regard.
Uche added that as a show of good faith, he would withdraw the motion on notice seeking a stay of execution of the arrest warrant, noting that his client was ready to take his plea.
The senior advocate thereafter urged the court to vacate the arrest warrant.
Responding, Usman Rabiu, counsel to the prosecution, said he did not oppose the application.
He noted that the purpose of the arrest warrant was to compel the defendant to submit to the court’s jurisdiction, which had now been achieved.
“Since he is here, we are not opposed to his being arraigned today,” Rabiu said.
In his ruling, Kekemeke observed that the defendant appeared voluntarily before the warrant could be executed.
He also noted that while counsel had apologised, no clear reason was provided for Turaki’s earlier absence.
The judge subsequently vacated the arrest warrant.
However, noting that the matter was scheduled for hearing of the defendant’s motion on notice, Kekemeke held that it would be inappropriate to proceed with arraignment.
The court also struck out the motion on notice seeking a stay of execution of the arrest warrant after it was withdrawn by the defence and not opposed by the prosecution.
Kekemeke adjourned the case to April 22 for Turaki’s arraignment on the one-count charge marked CR/647/2026.
The charge reads:
“That you, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), male, of No. 37 T.Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on or about October 5, 2022, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, gave false information to the Inspector-General of Police via a petition dated October 5, 2022, signed on your letterhead against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara, with intent to use the lawful power of the Inspector-General of Police to the injury or annoyance of the said Mohammed Mainasara, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.”
