Why Court Ordered Arrest Of Turaki, Factional PDP National Chairman

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after he failed to appear in court to answer a criminal charge filed against him.

The order was issued by Justice Peter Kekemeke following Turaki's absence in court during proceedings relating to a one-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police.

The court ordered the arrest of Turaki after he repeatedly failed to appear before the court despite being served with hearing notices.

According to the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/647/25, the police alleged that Turaki provided false information to the Inspector-General of Police in a petition he submitted in 2022.

The charge stated that the alleged offence took place on October 5, 2022, within the jurisdiction of the court, and that the offence is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

Police prosecutor, Usman Rabiu, had earlier asked the court to invoke Section 143 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to compel the defendant to appear in court, citing his repeated absence from proceedings.

The case was initially handled by Justice K.N. Ogbonnaya before it was transferred to Justice Kekemeke after Turaki wrote a petition to the Chief Judge of the High Court, expressing lack of confidence in the handling of the case.

Justice Ogbonnaya had earlier declined to issue a bench warrant for his arrest before the case was reassigned.

However, during the resumed proceedings before Justice Kekemeke, the court expressed dissatisfaction over the defendant's continued absence, noting that there was no justification for his failure to appear in court after being duly served.

The judge subsequently ordered security agencies to arrest Turaki and produce him before the court for arraignment.

Political observers say the development may have implications within the PDP, especially as Turaki is recognised as a factional national chairman in the ongoing leadership disputes within the party.

The case is expected to continue once the defendant is arrested and produced before the court for arraignment.