BREAKING: Court Fixes Trial Date For PDP Factional Chairman Kabiru Turaki

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has fixed June 18, 2026, for the commencement of the trial of a factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki Kabiru Turaki.

Justice Peter Kekemeke arrived at the decision on Thursday after dismissing an application filed by the defendant’s counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN). Turaki is facing a one-count charge bordering on allegedly providing false information to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Prosecutors told the court that the charge stemmed from a petition dated October 5, 2022, allegedly written by Turaki on his official letterhead against one Saidu Mohammed Mainasara. The prosecution alleged that the petition was intended to trigger police action to injure or harass the complainant, an offence said to contravene Section 140 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises giving false information to a public officer with intent to cause harm.

During proceedings, Turaki’s counsel urged the court to immediately rule on his application challenging the validity of the charge marked CR/647/2025, arguing that it disclosed no prima facie case and constituted an abuse of court process. However, the prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, opposed the application and urged the court to dismiss it, insisting that the case should proceed to trial where evidence would be presented.

The defence further appealed for an expedited ruling, warning that delay could subject the defendant to undue hardship. The prosecution countered by citing Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), arguing that the court is required to reserve ruling on such preliminary objections until final judgment.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke upheld the prosecution’s argument, holding that the provisions of the ACJA are mandatory and binding. He ruled that no injustice would be suffered by the defendant in proceeding to trial.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 18, 2026, for trial, during which the prosecution is expected to open its case and call its sole witness.