PDP Chairman Fights Bench Warrant

Legal Challenge Launched Against High Court Bench Warrant

A prominent figure within a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has initiated a formal appeal against a bench warrant issued by a High Court. Turaki contends that the warrant is unwarranted and seeks its immediate annulment.

In a statement released on Thursday, conveyed through his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Turaki sought to clarify that the legal proceedings are entirely personal and bear no connection to his affiliation with the PDP or any current party matters.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, situated in Maitama, had earlier on Thursday issued the bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest. This action stems from allegations that he provided false information to the police. The alleged false information was reportedly contained within a petition he submitted in his capacity as a private citizen back in 2022.

The court’s decision to grant the warrant was a direct consequence of Turaki’s absence when the case was called for hearing.

Turaki’s Principal Private Secretary emphasized that his legal counsel acted swiftly upon learning of the warrant. An appeal has been filed, accompanied by an application seeking to suspend the execution of the court’s order.

The statement elaborated on the circumstances leading to the warrant: “The said petition was written in 2022, and the case emanating therefrom was charged to court today, but due to his sudden hospital visit, he was absent from court. Additionally, his lawyers had filed an application seeking to quash the charge, which ordinarily would not require his presence.”

Following the issuance of the bench warrant, Turaki’s legal team immediately responded by filing both an appeal and an application for a stay of execution against the court’s order.

The statement further stressed the personal nature of the legal challenge: “While it needs emphasizing that this matter is completely unrelated to the Peoples Democratic Party or the contemporary issues arising therefrom, external political influence cannot be completely ruled out.”

The appeal seeks to overturn the bench warrant, with Turaki’s legal team confident in their ability to address the matter effectively. The statement concluded with a call for calm among party members, assuring them that Turaki’s legal team is actively managing the situation.