A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday, March 26, 2026, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki (SAN), a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The order follows his failure to appear for his scheduled arraignment in a criminal case brought against him by the Nigeria Police.
Justice U.P. Kekemeke, the trial judge, ruled that Turaki had no valid reason for missing the court session and subsequently ordered his arrest.
The judge stated that “Turaki had no justification for his absence in court and consequently ordered his arrest.”
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Turaki, who served as the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is facing a one-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police.
He is accused of allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.
The arraignment was originally set for January 28 but was delayed due to Turaki’s absence, despite a prior court order for him to appear.
During the most recent proceedings, the prosecution requested the bench warrant, arguing that the defendant had failed to honor the court’s summons.
In response, the defense counsel explained that Turaki’s absence was due to a pending petition sent to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.
This petition seeks to transfer the case to a different judge, as Turaki cited a “lack of confidence in the court.”
However, Justice Kekemeke clarified that filing such a petition does not automatically stop criminal proceedings.
He held that “the filing of a petition does not halt criminal proceedings unless there is a directive from the Chief Judge to that effect.”
Following this ruling, the judge approved the prosecution’s request, ordering that the defendant be arrested and brought before the court for his formal arraignment.
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings.
