PDP factional chair Turaki appeals court arrest order

Tanimu Turaki, factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) has challenged a federal capital territory high court order issuing a bench warrant for his arrest over alleged failure to appear in court.

In a statement issued on Thursday through Ibrahim Abdullahi, his principal private secretary, the factional chairman clarified that the matter was not connected to the PDP.

The trial judge, Justice U.P. Kekemeke, held that Turaki had no justification for his absence in court and consequently ordered his arrest.

Turaki, a former minister of special duties and inter-governmental affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan, is being prosecuted by the inspector general of police on a one-count charge of allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.

The case had earlier come up on January 28 for arraignment, but was stalled due to the defendant’s absence, despite a prior court order directing him to appear.

Also, Turaki said his legal team had promptly filed an appeal along with an application for a stay of execution of the order.

It reads, “the said petition was written in 2022, and the case emanating therefrom was charged to court today, but due to his sudden hospital visit, he was absent from court.

“Additionally, his lawyers had filed an application seeking to quash the charge, which ordinarily would not require his presence.

“With the issuance of the bench warrant, his lawyers have immediately filed an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the said order.

“While it needs emphasising that this matter is completely unrelated to the Peoples Democratic Party or the contemporary issues arising therefrom, external political influence cannot be completely ruled out.

“We urge all party members to remain calm as Turaki’s legal team is effectively handling the situation.”

The case stems from a one-count charge alleging that Turaki provided false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.