Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki, SAN, following his repeated failure to appear for his arraignment.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, is facing a one-count charge of providing false information to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). The charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/647/25, stems from a petition Turaki filed in October 2022, which authorities now allege contained fabricated claims.
The move to arrest the former minister comes after the case was transferred from Justice K.N. Ogbonnaya to Justice Kekemeke. Turaki had previously petitioned the Chief Judge, expressing a lack of confidence in Justice Ogbonnaya’s impartiality. While the former judge had declined to issue a warrant, Justice Kekemeke took a firmer stance during Thursday’s proceedings.
“There is no justification for the defendant’s absence, having been duly served with the hearing notice,” the court held.
The prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, successfully argued for the activation of Section 143 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which mandates the production of a defendant who fails to appear. The matter has been adjourned pending the arrest and production of the defendant.
