Court Orders Arrest of PDP Factional Chairman Kabiru Turaki

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued an order for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki, a factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after he failed to appear for his scheduled court proceedings in a case brought by the Inspector-General of Police.

Justice U.P. Kekemeke ruled on Thursday that Turaki, a former minister, had not provided any valid reason for his repeated absence from court.

The police had filed a one-count charge against him, alleging that he supplied false information in a petition dated October 2022.

Court records show that Turaki was expected to be arraigned on January 28, but the hearing did not proceed because he was absent. The prosecution informed the court that his appearance had been required under a prior summons and asked for a bench warrant to be issued.

His legal representative told the court that the absence was linked to a petition submitted to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge. The defence also argued that a lack of confidence had been expressed regarding the trial court.

Justice Kekemeke held that filing such a petition does not halt ongoing criminal proceedings unless the Chief Judge issues a directive to that effect.

The matter was earlier adjourned to March 5 before the latest order was issued.