A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the arrest of Kabiru Turaki following his failure to appear for arraignment in a criminal case bordering on alleged false information.
Justice Peter Kekemeke issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest after ruling that his absence in court was unjustified despite evidence that he had been duly served with the charge and hearing notice.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Minister of Special Duties, is facing a one-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.
At the hearing in Abuja, prosecuting counsel Usman Rabiu informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment, but the defendant was absent. He urged the court to invoke provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to compel Turaki’s appearance.
Rabiu also opposed a motion filed by the defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), seeking to quash the charge, arguing that such an application could only be entertained after the defendant had entered his plea.
However, the defence maintained that Turaki’s presence was not required at this stage and requested additional time to file written submissions in support of the motion.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that under Section 396(2) of the ACJA, a defendant who fails to appear in court despite being aware of pending charges risks a bench warrant for arrest. He further ruled that the motion to quash the charge was premature until the defendant takes his plea.
The court subsequently adjourned the case to April 22 for arraignment.
According to court documents, the charge (CR/647/2026) alleges that Turaki, on October 5, 2022, in Abuja, provided false information to the police through a petition he personally signed against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara. The offence is said to contravene Section 140 of the Penal Code.
Turaki Alleges Political Motive
Reacting to the development, Turaki attributed his absence in court to health challenges and disclosed that his legal team has filed an appeal against the bench warrant, alongside an application for a stay of execution.
In a statement issued by his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the former minister clarified that the petition in question was written in 2022 in his capacity as a private citizen and is unrelated to his involvement in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While distancing the case from the party’s internal affairs, Turaki hinted at possible external political interference.
“Although this matter has no connection with current PDP issues, external political influence cannot be completely ruled out,” the statement noted.
