The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted the prosecution’s application to reopen its case and call additional witnesses in the ongoing trial of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki.
Justice Peter Kekemeke granted the application on Monday following a request by the police counsel, Usman Aliyu, who sought permission to present further witnesses and evidence in the case.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is facing a one-count charge filed against him by the Office of the Inspector-General of Police over allegations of providing false information in a petition submitted to the police.
The PDP chieftain, however, has denied the allegation.
The court had granted him bail in April in the sum of ₦100 million, with one surety in the same amount.
The prosecution had earlier closed its case on June 18, 2026, after calling only one witness.
However, in October, Aliyu approached the court with an application seeking to reopen the prosecution’s case to enable the police to call additional witnesses and introduce further evidence.
The application was opposed by Turaki’s defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, who urged the court not to grant the prosecution’s request.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the application had merit and consequently granted the prosecution permission to reopen its case and present additional witnesses.
Following the ruling, Aliyu informed the court that the proposed witnesses were not present and requested an adjournment to enable the prosecution to produce them.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027, for continuation of proceedings.
The ruling gives the prosecution another opportunity to strengthen its case against the PDP factional chairman, while the trial remains ongoing.
