Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
Justice Kekemeke issued the warrant after Turaki failed to attend court for his arraignment.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) charged Turaki with giving false information to the police.
At the day’s proceedings, the prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, noted that the defendant was absent in court despite being served with the charge and a hearing notice by the court, informing him of the day’s proceedings.
The defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, urged the court to give him five more days to file written addresses to convince the court that the defendant’s presence was not required until the motion was determined.
However In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that despite being aware of the day’s proceedings, having been served with the hearing notice and the charge, it was wrong for Turaki to fail to attend court without providing any reason.
He noted that the defence counsel did not deny that his client was served with the hearing notice but failed to provide any reason why the defendant was not in court.
Justice Kekemeke held that the motion filed by the defendant seeking the quashing of the charge was not ripe for hearing.
He added that such a motion could only be heard after the defendant’s plea had been taken.
He therefore ordered that a bench warrant be issued on Turaki to compel him to attend court to answer the pending charge.
Justice Peter Kekemeke then adjourned the case until April 22 for Turaki’s arraignment
