A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of factional National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
The order was given by Justice Peter Kekemeke, who also refused an application by the defence counsel seeking to quash the charge against the defendant.
Turaki is to be arraigned before the court by the Nigeria Police Force, led by the Inspector General of Police, over allegations of providing false information to the police.
The case was initially assigned to a High Court sitting in Zuba, but the defendant failed to appear in court to take his plea. His legal team subsequently filed a petition against the presiding judge and requested that the matter be reassigned.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that there was no justification for Turaki’s absence, noting that he was fully aware of the court proceedings. The judge therefore ordered his arrest.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Rabiu Umar opposed the application by defence counsel Abdulaziz Ibrahim, who had urged the court to quash the charge.
The matter has been adjourned to April 22 for arraignment.