Court orders Turaki’s arrest over failure to appear for arraignment

Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, SAN, following his failure to appear in court for arraignment.

The warrant was issued after Turaki did not attend the scheduled proceedings, despite being duly served with the charge and a hearing notice.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has charged Turaki with providing false information to the police.

At the hearing, prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, informed the court that the matter was slated for the defendant to take his plea, noting that Turaki was absent despite proper service of court documents.
Rabiu invoked Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, urging the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance, and opposed a defence motion seeking to quash the charge.

Defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, urged the court to grant him five days to file written addresses, arguing that the defendant’s presence was not required until the motion was determined.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that Turaki’s failure to appear without explanation was unjustified, noting that the defence did not deny service of the hearing notice but offered no reason for the absence.

Citing Section 396(2) of the ACJA 2015, the judge ruled that the motion to quash was premature, ordered Turaki’s arrest, and adjourned the case until April 22 for his arraignment.