April 01, (THEWILL) — A factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki, on Wednesday got a reprieve as an Abuja High Court vacated the bench warrant earlier issued for his arrest after he appeared before the court and apologised for his absence.
The trial judge, Peter Kekemeke, set aside the warrant initially issued on March 26, following an oral application by Turaki’s counsel, Chris Uche, who apologised to the court for missing the previous hearing.
Uche explained that he was out of the country on the last adjourned date but returned earlier on Wednesday and proceeded directly to court.
He also apologised on behalf of his client, stressing that Turaki, himself a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, holds the court in high esteem and never intended to disrespect it.
To demonstrate good faith, Uche withdrew a motion earlier filed by Turaki seeking a stay of execution of the arrest warrant. He further informed the court that his client was ready to take his plea on the pending charge.
Counsel to the prosecution, Usman Rabiu, did not oppose the application. He noted that the primary aim of the arrest warrant was to compel the defendant’s appearance in court.
“Since he is here, the purpose of the warrant has been achieved. We are not opposed to his arraignment,” Rabiu said.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke observed that Turaki had appeared in court voluntarily before the warrant could be executed.
Although he noted that the reasons for the earlier absence were not entirely clear, the judge accepted the apologies and exercised his discretion to pardon the defendant.
The court subsequently vacated the arrest warrant and struck out the motion seeking its suspension following its withdrawal without objection from the prosecution.
Justice Kekemeke, however, declined to proceed with the arraignment, stating that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the motion on notice and not for plea-taking.
The case was adjourned until April 22, 2026, for Turaki’s arraignment on a one-count charge, marked CR/647/2026, filed by the Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.
Turaki is accused, among other allegations, of providing false information to the police.
With his appearance now secured and legal hurdles cleared, proceedings are set to continue smoothly at the next hearing date.
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