The FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has withdrawn the arrest order for Kabiru Turaki, the PDP factional national chairman.
Trial judge Peter Kekemeke vacated the warrant after an oral application by Mr Turaki’s lawyer, Chris Uche a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
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Mr Uche urged the court to cancel the arrest warrant since Mr Turaki appeared in court on Wednesday. He also apologised for his client’s absence at the last court proceeding.
On 26 March, the judge ordered the arrest of Mr Turaki, who is also a SAN, over his failure to appear for arraignment in an alleged false information case.
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Mr Turaki is facing one count of giving false information to the police. The charge was instituted by the Nigerian police.
The charge accused Mr Turaki of submitting a petition dated 5 October 2022 to the Inspector-General of Police, accusing one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara of wrongdoing.
According to the police, the petition was false and was made with the intent to invoke the lawful powers of the police to the “injury or annoyance” of Mr Mainasara.
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Court fixes new date for arraignment
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Mr Uche apologised for his own absence from the last proceedings when the court issued the arrest warrant against his client.
Apologising, Mr Uche said he was out of the country, adding that his abence was not “intentional” and that he “never intended to disrespect the court.”
However, he gave no reason for Mr Turaki’s absence.
Mr Uche also told the court his intentions to withdraw a motion filed by the factional PDP leader to suspend the execution of the warrant.
He noted that Mr Turaki was ready to take his plea.
The prosecution lawyer, Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the request.
After listening to their submissions, the judge pardoned Mr Turaki and withdrew the arrest warrant.
But he noted that the arraignment could not take place since the day’s business was slated for the motion earlier filed by the factional leader.
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Therefore, the judge struck out the motion and adjourned Mr Turaki’s hearing until April 22.
The case is part of the legal odds Mr Turaki is contending with at a time his claim to be the national chairman of the PDP, a leading opposition party in Nigeria, has taken huge blows from various decisive court decisions, including that of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The faction of the party loyal to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, which has the backing of the courts, recently organised a convention which produced new executives of the party for a fresh term.
Meanwhile, Mr Turaki and members of his faction of the party have approached the Supreme Court for final resolution.
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