An Abuja High Court on Wednesday vacated the arrest warrant issued on March 26 for the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
Turaki’s lawyer, Chris Uche explained that both he and his client had returned from abroad and were present to show their respect for the court, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered that Uche apologised for his client’s absence at the previous hearing, stressing that Turaki’s failure to attend was unintentional. He described Turaki as a senior advocate who holds the judiciary in the highest regard and confirmed that the motion for a stay of execution of the arrest warrant would be withdrawn as a gesture of good faith.
The prosecution, represented by Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the applications, noting that the purpose of the warrant, ensuring the defendant’s appearance had been achieved.
“Since he is now in court, we are not opposed to him being arraigned today,” Rabiu said.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke observed that Turaki voluntarily appeared before the warrant could be executed, and that his lawyer had formally apologised for the previous absence.
Consequently, the judge vacated the arrest warrant and struck out the motion seeking its stay.
The judge also noted that it would be inappropriate to proceed with the arraignment on the same day, as the case was set for hearing of Turaki’s motion.
He adjourned proceedings until April 22 for the former PDP chairman’s arraignment on a one-count charge (CR/647/2026) brought against him by the Inspector General of Police, which includes allegations of giving false information to the police.
