Court Cancels Turaki’s Arrest Warrant, Adjourns Arraignment To April 22

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Wednesday set aside the arrest warrant previously issued for the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Turaki, and adjourned his arraignment to April 22.

The bench warrant, issued on March 26 after Turaki failed to attend his scheduled arraignment on a one‑count charge, was vacated by Justice Peter Kekemeke following Turaki’s appearance in court and an oral application by his counsel, Chris Uche, asking that the order be withdrawn.

Uche apologised to the court for the earlier absence, explaining that he had been abroad and had only returned earlier in the day before coming to court. He also spoke on behalf of Turaki, saying the defendant, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, holds the judiciary in high regard and did not deliberately fail to attend the last hearing.

“He holds the court in the highest regard and his absence on the last date was not intentional and deliberate,” Uche told the court.

To demonstrate good faith, the defence lawyer said Turaki intended to withdraw a motion previously filed seeking a stay of execution of the arrest warrant. He added that his client was ready to take his plea on the charge brought against him.

Prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, said he had no objection to the defence’s requests, noting that the initial aim of the warrant was to ensure Turaki’s appearance in court.

“Since he is here, we are not opposed to his being arraigned today,” Rabiu said.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke noted that Turaki had voluntarily appeared before the warrant could be enforced. Although the judge said the explanation for his earlier absence was not entirely satisfactory, he said the court would favourably exercise its discretion.

The court therefore vacated the warrant. However, Justice Kekemeke declined to proceed with the arraignment at Wednesday’s sitting, noting that the matter had been scheduled for hearing the defence motion on the stay of execution. Following the defence’s withdrawal of the motion, with no objection from the prosecution, the court struck out the application and adjourned the case until April 22 for Turaki’s arraignment.

The charge, filed by the Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector‑General of Police, is marked CR/647/2026 and accuses Turaki of providing false information to the authorities.

With Turaki’s presence in court and the withdrawal of his earlier application challenging the warrant, the judge held that the purpose of issuing the arrest order had been fulfilled.