A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki, a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over his failure to appear in court for arraignment.
The order was given on Thursday by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who ruled that Turaki had no valid justification for his absence and must be brought before the court.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under Goodluck Jonathan, is facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police on a one-count charge of allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.
The case had previously been scheduled for arraignment on January 28 but was delayed due to his absence, despite an earlier court directive mandating his appearance.
During the latest proceedings, the prosecution requested a bench warrant, citing the defendant’s continued failure to honour the court summons.
In response, defence counsel argued that Turaki’s absence was due to a petition submitted to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, seeking reassignment of the case to another judge over alleged lack of confidence in the court.
However, Justice Kekemeke held that filing such a petition does not automatically suspend criminal proceedings unless expressly directed by the Chief Judge.
The court subsequently granted the prosecution’s request, ordering that Turaki be arrested and produced in court for arraignment.
The case was adjourned for further proceedings.
