A High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, SAN, after he failed to appear for his arraignment.
Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court made the order on Thursday, following an application by the prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) had charged Turaki with allegedly providing false information to the police.
At the hearing, prosecution counsel Usman Rabiu told the court that the day’s business was for the defendant to take his plea.
He stated that Turaki was absent despite being served with both the charge and a hearing notice.
Rabiu urged the court to invoke Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which empowers judges to issue a warrant when a defendant deliberately stays away from proceedings.
READ ALSO: CBN Approves Full Repatriation of Oil Firms’ Export Proceeds
He argued that the defence could only challenge the validity of the charge after Turaki had entered his plea.
Defence counsel Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, countered that his client’s presence was not required until a pending motion to quash the charge had been determined which he asked for five days to file written addresses.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that Turaki’s absence was unjustified, stressing that the defendant had been duly served with notice of the hearing.
He said the motion to quash the charge was not ripe for hearing and could only be considered after Turaki’s plea had been taken.
The judge therefore ordered the issuance of a bench warrant to compel Turaki’s attendance and adjourned the matter until 22 April for arraignment.
0 Comments