The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Tanimu Turaki, following his failure to appear in court for arraignment in a criminal case filed by the police.
However, Turaki has swiftly moved to challenge the order, filing an appeal and describing the court’s decision as unjust while seeking an immediate reversal.
The arrest order was issued on Thursday by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who ruled that the defendant had no valid reason for his absence in court.
Turaki, who is a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is facing prosecution by the Inspector General of Police on a one-count charge of allegedly providing false information in a petition submitted in October 2022.
The case had earlier been scheduled for arraignment on January 28 but could not proceed due to his absence, despite a prior directive from the court mandating his appearance.
During the latest proceedings, the prosecution asked the court to issue a bench warrant, arguing that Turaki had failed to honour the court summons.
In response, defence counsel explained that Turaki’s absence was linked to a petition filed before the FCT Chief Judge, requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge over concerns about impartiality.
But Justice Kekemeke ruled that such a petition does not automatically halt criminal proceedings unless expressly directed by the Chief Judge. He subsequently granted the prosecution’s request and ordered that Turaki be arrested and brought before the court.
The case was then adjourned for further hearing.
Reacting through his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Turaki insisted that the matter is unrelated to the PDP and should not be seen as a party issue.
He also disclosed that his legal team had filed both an appeal and an application seeking a stay of execution of the arrest order.
According to the statement, Turaki’s absence was due to a sudden hospital visit. It further noted that his lawyers had already filed an application to quash the charge, an application that typically does not require the defendant’s physical presence in court.
While maintaining his innocence, Turaki hinted that external political influence could not be completely ruled out, though he urged his supporters to remain calm as his legal team works to resolve the matter.
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