A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Kabiru Turaki, following his failure to appear in court for arraignment in an ongoing criminal case.

The order was given on Thursday by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, who ruled that the defendant had no valid justification for his absence.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs under Goodluck Jonathan, is being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police on a one-count charge of allegedly providing false information to the police in a petition dated October 2022.

The case had earlier been scheduled for arraignment on January 28 but could not proceed due to Turaki’s absence, despite a prior directive from the court mandating his appearance.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution urged the court to issue a bench warrant, citing the defendant’s failure to honour the court summons.

In response, defence counsel informed the court that Turaki’s absence was due to a petition submitted to the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, requesting that the case be reassigned to another judge over alleged lack of confidence in the court.

However, Justice Kekemeke held that the filing of such a petition does not automatically stay criminal proceedings unless expressly directed by the Chief Judge.

The court subsequently granted the prosecution’s application and ordered that Turaki be arrested and brought before the court for arraignment.

The matter was adjourned for further proceedings.

Punch