By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A Federal Capital Territory High Court judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, on Thursday issued a bench warrant against PDP factional chairman Tanimu Turaki in Abuja. The court acted after Turaki failed to appear for arraignment on charges of giving false information to the police. The judge ordered his arrest to compel his attendance in court.
Court Orders Arrest Over Absence
Justice Kekemeke ruled that Turaki deliberately stayed away from court despite proper service of the charge and hearing notice. Therefore, the judge ordered security agencies to arrest him and present him before the court.
He based the decision on Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. According to the law, courts can issue a bench warrant when a defendant refuses to appear.
Motion to Quash Deemed Premature
The court also rejected the defence’s attempt to quash the charge. Justice Kekemeke stated that such a motion cannot be heard before arraignment.
He explained that the defendant must first take his plea before raising objections to the charge. As a result, the motion was declared not ripe for hearing.
Defence Argument Dismissed
Earlier, defence counsel Abdulaziz Ibrahim urged the court to grant more time. He requested five days to file written arguments challenging the need for Turaki’s presence.
However, the judge dismissed the request. He noted that the defence admitted receiving the hearing notice but failed to explain the absence.
Prosecution Pushes for Arraignment
Prosecution counsel Usman Rabiu insisted that the matter was scheduled for arraignment. He stressed that Turaki’s absence stalled proceedings.
Rabiu then urged the court to enforce the law by issuing an arrest warrant. He argued that challenges to the charge must follow arraignment.
Case Adjourned
Following the ruling, Justice Kekemeke adjourned the case until April 22. The court expects Turaki to appear and enter his plea on that date.
