A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), over his failure to appear in court for arraignment in a criminal case.
The order was given on Thursday by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who ruled that the defendant had no valid justification for his absence.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a one-count charge of allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.
The case had earlier been scheduled for arraignment on January 28 but could not proceed due to his absence, despite a prior court directive mandating his appearance.
At the resumed hearing, the prosecution urged the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendant for failing to comply with the court’s summons.
However, defence counsel informed the court that Turaki’s absence was based on a petition filed before 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.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Kekemeke held that the filing of such a petition does not automatically halt criminal proceedings unless there is an express directive from the Chief Judge.
“The filing of a petition does not stop proceedings in a criminal matter without a directive from the Chief Judge,” the judge said.
He subsequently granted the prosecution’s request and ordered the immediate arrest of the defendant to ensure his appearance in court.
The case was adjourned for further proceedings.
