- Safiu Kehinde
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the arrest of the factional leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki (SAN) over his absence at the hearing of a suit filed against him by the Inspector-General of Police.
The court had at the presided over by Justice Keke Meke on Thursday issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest.
According to reports, Turaki was arraigned before the court over alleged provision of false information to the police.
The factional PDP leader however failed to appear before the court with his legal team filing a petition against the judge and requested that the case be reassigned.
In his ruling, Justice Meke held that there was no justification for the defendant’s absence, noting that Turaki was fully aware of the court proceedings.
The judge therefore ordered his arrest.
He also refused an application by the defence counsel seeking to quash the charges against the defendant.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rabiu Umar, opposed the application by defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, who had urged the court to quash the charges.
The matter has been adjourned to April 22 for arraignment.