The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja issued a bench warrant on Thursday for the arrest of Tanimu Turaki (SAN), a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The warrant was issued after Turaki failed to appear for his arraignment in a criminal case brought against him by the police.
In response, Turaki has already filed an appeal to challenge the warrant.
Through a statement by his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, he described the court’s order as unjust and is seeking an immediate reversal.
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He also clarified that “this matter is completely unrelated to the Peoples Democratic Party or the contemporary issues arising therefrom,” though he noted that “external political influence cannot be completely ruled out.”
The presiding judge, Justice U.P. Kekemeke, ruled that there was no valid excuse for the defendant’s absence.
The judge held that “Turaki had no justification for his absence in court and consequently ordered his arrest.”
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, is facing a one-count charge for allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition from October 2022.
The case was previously stalled on January 28 due to his absence, despite a court order to appear.
During the recent proceedings, the prosecution pushed for the arrest warrant because Turaki failed to honor the summons.
However, his defense team argued that he was absent because they had petitioned the Chief Judge to transfer the case to another judge, citing a “lack of confidence in the court.”
Justice Kekemeke rejected this argument, stating that “the filing of a petition does not halt criminal proceedings unless there is a directive from the Chief Judge to that effect.”
Turaki explained his side of the story, noting that “the said petition was written in 2022, and the case emanating therefrom was charged to court today, but due to his sudden hospital visit, he was absent from court.”
He also mentioned that “his lawyers had filed an application seeking to quash the charge, which ordinarily would not require his presence.”
Following the issuance of the warrant, Turaki confirmed that “his lawyers have immediately filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the said order.”
He urged his supporters and party members to stay calm while his legal team manages the situation.
