Courtroom Points Arrest Warrant For PDP Factional Chairman Turaki Over Alleged False Police Petition

A Excessive Courtroom of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has ordered the arrest of Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), described as a factional Nationwide Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over alleged false info equipped to the police.

Justice Peter Kekemeke issued a bench warrant on Thursday after Turaki failed to seem in courtroom for his arraignment on a one-count felony cost filed by the Inspector-Normal of Police (IGP).

On the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, advised the courtroom that the matter was slated for the defendant to take his plea. He famous that Turaki was duly served with each the cost and a listening to discover however was absent with out clarification.

The cost, marked CR/647/2026, alleges that Turaki, on October 5, 2022, in Abuja, submitted a petition to the IGP containing false info towards one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara, with intent to invoke police powers to the latter’s harm or annoyance—an offence punishable underneath Part 140 of the Penal Code.

Counting on Part 396(2) of the Administration of Prison Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the prosecution urged the courtroom to compel the defendant’s look via a warrant of arrest.

Defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), opposed the appliance, pointing to a pending movement in search of to quash the cost and requesting time to file additional arguments. He argued that his consumer’s presence was not required till the movement was decided.

The prosecution disagreed, sustaining that any problem to the cost might solely be entertained after the defendant had taken his plea.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the defendant’s failure to seem, regardless of confirmed service of courtroom processes, was unjustified. He additional dominated that the movement to quash the cost was untimely and couldn’t be heard earlier than arraignment.

The courtroom consequently issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest and adjourned the case to April 22 for arraignment.