- Safiu Kehinde
An Abuja High Court sitting on Wednesday has vacated the arrest order issued against the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki.
NPO Reported that the court had last week issued a bench warrant against Turaki over his absence during the hearing of the one count criminal charge filed against him over alleged issuance of false information to the police.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, would vacate the arrest warrant while ruling on an oral application by Turaki’s lawyer, Chris Uche SAN following his appearance in court today.
When the case was called, Uche apologised to the court for his absence on the last date.
Uche, who claimed to be out of the country, said he returned earlier today and headed straight to the court.
He also apologised on behalf of his client, who he said is a Senior Advocate and has the highest regards for the court.
He said Turaki’s absence on the last date was not intentional and deliberate, adding that he never intended to disrespect the court.
Uche said to show good faith, he would withdraw the motion on notice filed by his client for stay of execution of the arrest warrant.
He added that Turaki was also ready to take his plea to a charge pending against him.
Responding, lawyer to the prosecution, Usman Rabiu said he was not opposed to Uche’s applications.
Rabiu noted that the essence of the arrest warrant was to compel the defendant to appear in court.
He added that since he has attended court the purpose of the order for his arrest has been met.
“Since he (Turaki) is here, we are not opposed to his being arraigned today.”
Ruling, Justice Kekemeke noted that the defendant attended the court on his own before the arrest warrant could be executed.
The judge also noted that his lawyer has apologised for his absence, even though the reason why he was absent was not clear from what Uche said.
He however elected to pardon the defendant and proceeded to vacate the arrest warrant.
Justice Kekemeke said since the case was scheduled for Wednesday for the hearing of the motion on notice filed by the defendant, it was inappropriate to proceed with the defendant’s arraignment.
The judge also struck out a motion on notice filed by Turaki, in which he had sought the stay of execution of the arrest warrant after Uche applied to withdraw it and Rabiu did not object.
Justice Kekemeke then adjourned until April 22 for Turaki’s arraignment on a one count charge, marked: CR/647/2026 brought against him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).