A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the arrest of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, following his absence at a scheduled arraignment in a criminal case instituted by the police.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, held that the defendant offered no justifiable explanation for failing to attend court, despite evidence that he had been properly served with the charge and notified of the hearing date.
Turaki is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a single-count charge accusing him of submitting false information in a petition dated October 2022, an offence punishable under the law.
At the proceedings, the prosecution requested the court to apply relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to secure the defendant’s attendance, maintaining that he knowingly failed to appear.
In response, the defence pointed to a pending motion contesting the charge and a separate request for the case to be reassigned. However, the court ruled that such applications do not suspend ongoing criminal proceedings and described the move as premature.
Justice Kekemeke consequently issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest and directed that he be brought before the court for arraignment. The case was adjourned for continuation.
