Court orders PDP factional Chairman’s arrest  over absence at arraignment

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Maitama has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the warrant on Thursday after Turaki failed to appear in court for his arraignment on a one-count criminal charge brought against him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), in which he is accused of, among other things, giving false information to the police.

When the case was called on Thursday, prosecution lawyer Usman Rabiu stated that the purpose of the day’s sitting was for Turaki to take his plea. Rabiu noted that the defendant was absent despite having been served with the charge and a hearing notice informing him of the proceedings.

Rabiu invoked Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, urging the court to issue a bench warrant to produce the defendant for arraignment. He also faulted defence lawyer Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN) for referencing a motion he had filed seeking to quash the charge, arguing that such a challenge could only be made after the defendant had entered his plea.

Ibrahim countered, asking the court for five days to file written addresses to argue that his client’s presence was unnecessary until the motion was decided.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that it was wrong for Turaki to stay away from court without providing any reason, especially as he had been served with both the charge and the hearing notice. The judge noted that the defence did not deny that service had been effected but failed to explain the defendant’s absence.

Justice Kekemeke held that under Section 396(2) of the ACJA, 2015, when a defendant who is aware of a pending charge chooses to stay away, the proper order is a bench warrant to secure his production to answer the charge. He added that the motion to quash was not ripe for hearing, as such a motion can only be entertained after the plea has been taken.

The judge consequently issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest to compel his attendance and adjourned the matter until April 22 for arraignment.

The charge, marked CR/647/2026, reads: “That you Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, (SAN), male, No: 37 T. Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja on or about 5th October, 2022 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court you gave false information to the Inspector-General of Police via petition dated 5th October, 2022 and signed by you on your letter head paper against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara with intent to use the lawful power of Inspector-General of Police to the injury or annoyance of the said Muhammed Mainasara and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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