The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has withdrawn the arrest warrant earlier issued against Kabiru Turaki, a factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Justice Peter Kekemeke vacated the order on Wednesday after Turaki appeared in court, following an oral application by his counsel, Chris Uche.
Uche urged the court to set aside the warrant because his client was now present, while also apologizing for Turaki’s absence at the previous hearing.
He further apologized for his own absence when the warrant was issued, explaining that he had been out of the country and did not intend to disrespect the court.
The arrest warrant had been issued on March 26 after Turaki failed to appear for arraignment in a case filed by the Nigeria Police Force.
The charge alleges that he provided false information to the police through a petition dated October 5, 2022, accusing one Saidi Mainasara of wrongdoing.
According to the prosecution, the petition was false and intended to invoke police authority in a way that could cause harm or annoyance to the accused party.
During proceedings, Uche also informed the court of his intention to withdraw a previously filed motion to suspend execution of the arrest warrant, stating that Turaki was ready to enter his plea. The prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the request.
The court subsequently withdrew the warrant and pardoned Turaki. However, the arraignment did not proceed, as the matter had been scheduled for the hearing of the earlier motion. The judge struck out the motion and adjourned the case to April 22 for arraignment.
The case adds to the ongoing legal and political challenges surrounding Turaki’s claim to leadership within the PDP, which has faced multiple court setbacks, including a Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja.
