PDP Faction Leader Turaki Acts After Court Issues Arrest Order

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Tanimu Turaki (SAN), a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for failing to appear in court for arraignment in a criminal case brought by the police.

The order was issued by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who stated that Turaki had provided no valid reason for missing the proceedings. Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police over an alleged one-count charge of providing false information to the authorities in a petition filed in October 2022.

The case was initially scheduled for arraignment on January 28 but was stalled due to Turaki’s absence despite a prior court directive. During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution requested that a bench warrant be issued to secure his appearance.

Turaki’s counsel explained that his absence was linked to a petition filed with the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, requesting the reassignment of the case to another judge due to a lack of confidence in the current court. Justice Kekemeke, however, ruled that such a petition does not suspend criminal proceedings unless a directive is issued by the Chief Judge, and subsequently granted the prosecution’s application for Turaki’s arrest. The matter was adjourned for further proceedings.

Reacting to the development, Turaki stated that his legal team has filed an appeal against the bench warrant, along with a request for a stay of execution. Through his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, he explained that his absence was due to a sudden hospital visit and noted that his lawyers had also applied to quash the charge, which ordinarily would not require his physical presence in court.

Turaki emphasized that the case is unrelated to PDP’s internal affairs, although he acknowledged that external political influence cannot be entirely ruled out. He urged party members to remain calm, affirming that his legal team is actively managing the matter.