By Ben Nsemo
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday vacated a bench warrant earlier issued for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki, the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, set aside the warrant while ruling on an oral application by Turaki’s counsel, Chris Uche (SAN), following the defendant’s appearance in court.
The court had on March 26 ordered Turaki’s arrest after he failed to appear for arraignment on a one-count criminal charge. However, when the matter was called on Wednesday, Uche apologised for his absence at the previous sitting, explaining that he had been out of the country and only returned earlier in the day before proceeding directly to court.
He also apologised on behalf of his client, stating that Turaki, himself a Senior Advocate, holds the court in high regard and did not intentionally disregard its authority. Uche further informed the court of his intention to withdraw a motion seeking a stay of execution of the arrest warrant, as a demonstration of good faith.
According to him, Turaki was ready to take his plea on the pending charge.
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Counsel to the prosecution, Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the application. He noted that the primary purpose of the arrest warrant was to compel the defendant’s attendance in court, which had now been achieved.
“Since he is here, we are not opposed to his being arraigned today,” Rabiu said.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke observed that the defendant had voluntarily appeared before the warrant could be executed. He also acknowledged the apology tendered by defence counsel, although he remarked that the explanation for the earlier absence was not entirely clear.
The judge, however, exercised discretion to pardon the defendant and consequently vacated the arrest warrant.
Justice Kekemeke further held that proceeding with the arraignment would be inappropriate, as the matter had been scheduled for hearing of the motion earlier filed by the defendant. Following Uche’s application to withdraw the motion and the lack of objection from the prosecution, the court struck it out.
The case was adjourned until April 22 for Turaki’s arraignment on the one-count charge, marked CR/647/2026, filed by the Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.
Turaki is accused, among other allegations, of providing false information to the police.
