A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, following his failure to appear before the court in an ongoing criminal case.
Justice U.P. Kekemeke issued the arrest order after Turaki did not attend proceedings in a matter filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The court ruled that Turaki had no valid justification for his absence, prompting the judge to direct security authorities to arrest him and ensure his appearance before the court.
The case stems from a one-count charge filed by the police, accusing Turaki of providing false information in a petition he allegedly submitted in October 2022. According to the charge, the former minister and PDP figure misled law enforcement authorities through the contents of the petition.
Prosecutors told the court that the alleged act violated provisions of Nigerian law that criminalize giving false information to public authorities, especially when such information could trigger investigations or legal actions against others.
During the court session, the prosecution informed the judge that Turaki had been duly notified of the hearing date but failed to attend without offering any reasonable explanation.
Justice Kekemeke, while delivering the ruling, stated that the court could not allow the proceedings to be stalled by the defendant’s absence.
The judge therefore ordered law enforcement agencies to arrest Turaki and produce him before the court to continue the trial.
The development adds another layer to the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party. The party has been grappling with leadership disputes and factional divisions in recent years, with different groups laying claim to key positions within the party structure.
Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, has been associated with one of the factions contesting influence within the party.
Political analysts say the legal action could further complicate the party’s internal dynamics as it attempts to reposition itself ahead of future elections.
Meanwhile, the court is expected to fix a new date for the continuation of the case once Turaki is brought before it.
Legal observers note that the matter will likely focus on determining whether the petition allegedly submitted by Turaki indeed contained false information and whether it violated criminal statutes.
For now, authorities are expected to act on the court order to ensure the defendant appears before the court to respond to the charge against him.
