Court grants PDP factional chair Turaki N100m bail in false information charge

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Wednesday granted bail in the sum of N100 million to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is facing a charge of allegedly giving false information to the police.

Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (2013–2015), was arraigned before Justice Peter Kekemeke on a one-count charge marked CR/647/2026 filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

He was accused of providing false information in a petition dated October 5, 2022, an offence said to contravene Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

According to the charge filed on November 15, 2025, the defendant allegedly submitted misleading information to the police via a petition lodged within the jurisdiction of the court.

Turaki initially failed to appear for arraignment, prompting the court on March 26 to issue a bench warrant for his arrest. The order was however vacated on April 1 after he voluntarily submitted himself to the court and pledged to face trial.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Abubakar Ibrahim, SAN, Turaki’s counsel urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, citing constitutional provisions on the presumption of innocence and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

He also noted Turaki’s status as a senior lawyer of over four decades in practice and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for 20 years.

Usman Rabiu, the prosecution counsel opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant had previously evaded service and only appeared after being declared wanted. He urged the court to remand him in custody pending trial.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is a constitutional right and found no sufficient evidence that the defendant posed a flight risk. He noted that Turaki had voluntarily appeared before the court prior to the execution of the arrest warrant.

The court consequently admitted him to bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum. It also ordered that the surety must be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with at least 20 years post-call experience or a lawyer with not less than 40 years in practice.

The matter was adjourned to June 11 for hearing.