- An Abuja High Court has set aside the bench warrant previously issued against Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, following his voluntary appearance in court.
- Turaki, a factional National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is facing a one-count charge (CR/647/2026) involving allegations of providing false information to the police.
- Lead counsel Chris Uche, SAN, apologized for the defendant’s previous absence, explaining it was due to international travel and not a deliberate act of disrespect to the court.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja has vacated the arrest warrant against Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a factional National Chairman of the PDP.
Eko Hot Blog reports that presiding Judge Justice Peter Kekemeke withdrew the order on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, after the senior lawyer and politician appeared in court of his own volition.
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The warrant had been issued on March 26 after Turaki failed to show up for his scheduled arraignment.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, his counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, moved an oral application to set aside the warrant, explaining that his client’s absence was unintentional.
Uche further demonstrated good faith by withdrawing a previously filed motion intended to stay the execution of the arrest warrant.
The prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the application to vacate the warrant, noting that the primary objective, securing the defendant’s presence in court, had been achieved.
While Justice Kekemeke exercised his discretion to favor the defendant, he declined to proceed with the plea-taking immediately.
The judge noted that the day’s session was originally slated to hear the defense’s motion to stay execution, which had now been struck out.
Consequently, the court adjourned the case to April 22, 2026, for the formal arraignment.
Kabiru Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, is being prosecuted by the Nigeria Police Force. The case continues to draw attention as part of the broader legal and political friction within the leadership of the main opposition party.
