The factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has filed an appeal and sought a stay of execution against a bench warrant issued for his arrest by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama.
The warrant, granted on Thursday by Justice Peter Kekemeke, followed Turaki’s failure to appear in court for his arraignment on a charge of allegedly giving false information to the police.
In a statement, Turaki’s office explained that his absence was due to a “sudden hospital visitation” and noted that a motion to quash the charge had already been filed by his lawyers, a process they said did not require his presence. The legal team immediately filed an appeal and application for a stay of execution following the court’s ruling.
The charge, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, relates to a petition Turaki wrote in 2022 as a private citizen. At the hearing, prosecution counsel argued that Turaki’s plea was required before challenging the charge, while defence counsel requested additional time to file written addresses.
Justice Kekemeke ruled that Turaki’s absence was unjustified, noting that he had been duly served, and held that the motion to quash the charge was premature. The matter was adjourned until April 22, 2026, for arraignment.
Turaki’s office emphasized that the case is unrelated to internal party matters but acknowledged that “external political influence cannot be completely exorcised,” urging party members to remain calm.
