The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has withdrawn an arrest warrant issued against Kabiru Turaki, a factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Trial judge Peter Kekemeke vacated the order on Wednesday following an oral application by Turaki’s lawyer, Chris Uche.
Uche urged the court to set aside the warrant on the grounds that his client was now present in court. He also apologised for Turaki’s absence at the previous sitting.
The judge had ordered Turaki’s arrest on March 26 after he failed to appear for arraignment in a case involving alleged false information. The charge, filed by the Nigeria Police Force, accuses him of giving false information to the police.
According to the charge, Turaki submitted a petition dated October 5, 2022, to the inspector general of police, accusing one Saidi Mainasara of wrongdoing. The police said the petition was false and was made to invoke the lawful powers of the police to the “injury or annoyance” of Mainasara.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Uche also apologised for his own absence when the arrest warrant was issued.
Apologising, he said he was out of the country, adding that his absence was not “intentional” and that he “never intended to disrespect the court.”
He, however, gave no reason for Turaki’s earlier absence.
Uche further informed the court of his intention to withdraw a motion previously filed by his client seeking to suspend the execution of the warrant. He added that Turaki was ready to take his plea.
The prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the request.
After hearing both sides, the judge withdrew the arrest warrant and pardoned Turaki.
However, the arraignment did not proceed as the matter had been scheduled for the hearing of the motion earlier filed by the defendant. The court consequently struck out the motion and adjourned the case to April 22 for arraignment.
The case adds to the legal challenges facing Turaki amid the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party. His claim to the party’s national chairmanship has suffered setbacks following court rulings, including a decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
