More trouble for PDP as court orders Turaki’s arrest

Turaki

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday ordered the arrest of Senator Kabiru Turaki (SAN) Chairman of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sacked by the Court of Appeal.

The judge made the pronouncement following Turaki’s failure to appear for arraignment.

Turaki, a former minister special duties, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Justice Peter Kekemeke issued the bench warrant because Turaki did not attend court to take his plea in a one-count criminal charge filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

The police charged him with giving false information.

Turaki said his inability to attend court was due to health reasons, adding that he has instructed his lawyers to appeal the order and obtain a stay of execution. He also clarified that the petition that led to the case dates back to 2022 and is unrelated to his role in PDP.

When the case was called, prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment, but the defendant was absent despite being duly served with the charge and a hearing notice.

Rabiu urged the court to invoke Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to compel the defendant’s appearance by issuing a bench warrant. Nation