A factional national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Tanimu TurakiA factional national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Tanimu Turaki, SAN, was on Tuesday admitted to bail of ₦100 million following his arraignment by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, Abuja, for allegedly giving false information to the IGP.
The Senior Advocate was accused of providing false information to the IGP through a petition using his letterhead, dated 5 October 2022, which he signed against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara with the intent to use the lawful power of the IGP to the injury or annoyance of the said Mainasara.
According to the prosecution, the offence allegedly committed by the defendant is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.
Turaki, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in open court.
Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, asked the court to fix a date for the prosecution to commence its case against the defendant.
However, counsel for Turaki, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, informed the court that the defendant had filed three separate motions and sought to withdraw two of them, marked M/1043/26, dated 26 January 2026, seeking bail for the defendant, and M/4847/26, dated 31 March 2026.
The two motions were subsequently struck out by the court, as the prosecution did not object to their withdrawal.
Ibrahim then moved the third motion, marked FCT/HC/M/5987, filed by the defendant, seeking an order of the court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.
He told the court that the motion was brought pursuant to Section 36(5) and (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to him, in accordance with the provisions of Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the defendant was entitled to bail as of right, unless the court held otherwise.
Urging the court to admit Turaki to bail on self-recognition, Ibrahim submitted that the defendant is an elder statesman, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a respected community leader with various chieftaincy titles.
He added that Turaki is a legal practitioner with over 40 years of experience, 20 of which he has spent as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and described him as the authentic leader of the PDP.
The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, noting that although granting bail is at the discretion of the court, it should consider the provisions of Section 162 of the ACJA.
Ruling on the application, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is not only at the discretion of the court but also a fundamental right.
The court ruled that the prosecution had not provided sufficient reasons to deny the defendant bail and therefore granted the application.
Justice Kekemeke admitted Turaki to bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum. The surety, according to the judge, must be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria of not less than 20 years’ standing or a legal practitioner with over 40 years’ experience.
The case was adjourned until 11 June for hearing.
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