Court fixes June 18 for trial of factional PDP Chairman Turaki

An Abuja high court sitting in Maitama has fixed June 18, 2026, for the commencement of trial of Kabiru Turaki, the factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over alleged false information.

Justice Peter Kekemeke set the date on Thursday after dismissing an application filed by the defendant seeking to quash the charge brought against him by the Inspector-General of Police.

Turaki is standing trial on a one-count charge bordering on allegedly giving false information to a public officer, contrary to Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

The prosecution alleged that the former minister wrote a petition dated October 5, 2022, against one Saidu Mohammed Mainasara, with intent to trigger police action to cause harm or annoyance.

At the resumed hearing, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), a defence counsel urged the court to quash the charge, arguing that it disclosed no prima facie case and amounted to an abuse of court process.

He also asked the court to deliver an immediate ruling, warning that delay would subject his client to unnecessary hardship.

However, prosecuting counsel Usman Rabiu opposed the application, insisting that the matter should proceed to trial and that preliminary objections must be taken alongside final judgment in line with Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke upheld the prosecution’s argument, holding that the provisions of the ACJA are mandatory and must be complied with.

The judge ruled that Turaki would not suffer injustice by standing trial and consequently adjourned the matter to June 18 for hearing, where the prosecution is expected to open its case.