Court orders arrest of PDP factional chairman 

A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday issued a bench warrant against a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment in a criminal case filed by the police.

The presiding judge, Justice U.P. Kekemeke, ruled that the defendant had no valid reason for his absence and consequently directed security agencies to arrest him.

Turaki, who previously served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under Goodluck Jonathan, is facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police over a one-count charge of allegedly giving false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.

The matter was earlier scheduled for January 28 for arraignment but could not proceed due to his absence, despite an earlier court directive mandating his appearance.

During Thursday’s sitting, the prosecution asked the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendant for disregarding the summons.

In response, defence counsel told the court that Turaki’s 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 over alleged lack of confidence in the court.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the filing of such a petition does not automatically suspend criminal proceedings unless the Chief Judge expressly orders otherwise.

The court thereafter granted the prosecution’s request, ordering that the defendant be arrested and brought before the court for arraignment.

The case was subsequently adjourned for continuation of proceedings.