Fresh legal tension has enveloped factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, following the issuance of a bench warrant against him by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama.
However, Turaki’s camp moved swiftly to contain the situation, revealing that his legal team has filed applications to quash the charge and halt execution of the warrant, arguing that the case does not require his physical appearance.
The charge, bordering on alleged false information to the police, is linked to a petition Turaki submitted in 2022 as a private citizen. The court issued the bench warrant after he failed to appear when the matter was called on Thursday.
Explaining the absence, Turaki’s Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdulahi, said it was due to an unexpected medical situation.
“The warrant was granted because of his absence in court today when the case was called,” the statement said.
It added: “The petition was written in 2022, and the case was brought up today. Due to his sudden hospital visitation, he could not be in court.”
In a swift legal response, Turaki’s lawyers have filed an appeal alongside an application for a stay of execution of the bench warrant, challenging both the merit of the charge and the process leading to the order.
While distancing the issue from internal PDP affairs, his camp hinted at possible political undertones.
“Though this matter is not connected to party activities, external political influence cannot be completely ruled out,” the statement noted.
Supporters have been urged to remain calm as the legal battle shifts to the courts, where the next phase will test the strength of Turaki’s defence against the authority of the judiciary.
The development adds a fresh twist to the PDP’s internal dynamics, underscoring the complex interplay between law and politics in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
