The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Abuja, has picked June 18, 2026, for the trial of a factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki.
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Peter Kekemeke took the decision on Thursday after dismissing an application by Turaki’s counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN).
The factional PDP chairman is facing a one-count charge of allegedly giving false information to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The prosecutors claimed he wrote a petition dated October 5, 2022 on his letterhead against one Saidu Mohammed Mainasara, with the intent to use the police’s lawful powers to injure or annoy him.
The prosecution told the court that the alleged act contravenes Section 140 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalizes giving false information to a public officer with intent to cause harm.
Turaki’s lawyer had urged the court to deliver an immediate ruling on the application by the defendant to challenge the charge filed against him by the IGP.
Ibrahim argued that the charge, marked CR/647/2025, disclosed no prima facie case against Turaki and amounted to an abuse of court process.
Prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, countered the application and asked the court to dismiss it. He urged Justice Kekemeke to allow the prosecution to present evidence and prove its case against the defendant.
Ibrahim then pleaded with the court to deliver its ruling quickly. He argued that delaying the decision would subject Turaki to unnecessary trial, emotional strain and physical stress.
Rabiu objected to the request, citing Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA. He said the law makes it mandatory for the court to reserve rulings on such preliminary objections until final judgment, leaving the judge with no discretion.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke agreed with the prosecution. He held that Section 396(2) of ACJA is mandatory and must be obeyed. The judge added that Turaki would not suffer any injustice by going through trial.
The court thereafter adjourned the matter to June 18 for trial to begin where the prosecution is expected to call its sole witness to open its case against the factional PDP chairman.
