Politics

My legal team has appealed against bench warrant- Turaki

Published

3 months ago

March 27, 2026

Tanimu Turaki, the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed a bench warrant issued for his arrest by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, and filed an application seeking a stay of execution.

The warrant was issued on Thursday by Justice Peter Kekemeke after Turaki failed to appear in court for his arraignment on a charge of allegedly giving false information to the police.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, Turaki’s office confirmed that his legal team had filed an appeal against the bench warrant, along with an application for a stay of execution.

The appeal notice, signed by his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, explained that Turaki’s absence in court was due to a “sudden hospital visitation.”

“Today, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama granted a bench warrant against Kabiru Turaki SAN on a charge of giving false information to the police in a petition he wrote as a private citizen in 2022. The warrant was granted because of his absence in court today when the case was called.

“The said petition was written in 2022, and the case emanating therefrom was charged to court today, and due to his sudden hospital visitation, resulting in his absence from the court.

“Additionally, his lawyers had filed an application seeking to quash the charge, which ordinarily would not require his presence. With the issuance of the bench warrant, his lawyers have immediately filed an appeal and application for the stay of execution against the said order,” it read.

Turaki’s office added that the matter is unrelated to internal PDP affairs but suggested that “external political influence cannot be completely exorcised.”

It urged party members to remain calm, assuring them that his legal team is handling the situation.

Court Ruling

The charge, filed by the Inspector-General of Police, stems from a petition Turaki wrote in 2022 as a private citizen.

At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, told the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant to enter his plea. He noted that Turaki was absent despite being duly served with both the charge and hearing notice.

Rabiu subsequently invoked Section 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, urging the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendant’s appearance.

In response, defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, argued that a motion had already been filed seeking to quash the charge. He requested five days to file written addresses, maintaining that his client’s presence was not required until the motion was determined.

However, the prosecution opposed this position, arguing that the validity of the charge could only be challenged after the defendant had taken his plea.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the defendant, having been served with the charge and hearing notice, had no justification for his absence in court. He noted that the defence did not deny service but failed to provide any reason for Turaki’s non-appearance.

The judge further held that under Section 396(2) of the ACJA 2015, where a defendant aware of a pending charge fails to appear, the appropriate order is the issuance of a bench warrant to compel attendance.

He also ruled that the motion to quash the charge was premature and could only be entertained after the defendant’s plea had been taken.

Consequently, the court ordered the issuance of a bench warrant and adjourned the matter until April 22 for arraignment.

Related Topics:Featured PDP Tanimu Turaki

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Politics

‘Our man putting Aso Rock under pressure’

Published

1 hour ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

NEFERTITI, a prominent supporter of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi, has claimed that the sustained criticism directed at Obi by several political figures reflects the growing influence of the former Anambra State governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a post shared on X, NEFERTITI alleged that a number of politicians and public commentators had focused their attacks on Obi, suggesting that the attention underscored his political relevance.

According to the post, individuals including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Labour Party factional leader Julius Abure, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, and former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole had all targeted Obi in their public remarks.

“The entire Establishment is attacking one man,” the post stated.

NEFERTITI also pointed to what she described as a pattern of political leaders making repeated assurances of electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in their respective states. She listed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori among those allegedly making such commitments.

The X user argued that the repeated declarations by political office holders highlighted the pressure Obi was exerting on Nigeria’s political establishment.

“Our man is on everyone’s lips,” NEFERTITI wrote, adding that it takes significant political influence for “one man to put Aso Rock and the entire Establishment under constant pressure.”

The comments come amid increasing political activity and early positioning by key actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of various political figures intensifying debates over the country’s leadership and future electoral prospects.

Neither the individuals mentioned in the post nor the Presidency had responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.

Politics

Northern influencer urges ADC to merge structure with NDC

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

A northern social media influencer and supporter of Peter Obi, Shehu Gazali Sadiq, has reiterated his position that Atiku may not feature on the ballot in the 2027 general elections, citing recent legal developments involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a post shared on social media, Sadiq recalled that he had predicted two weeks earlier that Atiku would not contest the 2027 presidential election under the ADC platform, adding that many had dismissed his comments at the time.

According to him, a High Court in Abuja has now directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development he argued could significantly affect the party’s political calculations ahead of the next election cycle.

Sadiq maintained that although the ADC is expected to challenge the ruling on appeal, such efforts would be futile because the party’s leadership dispute remains the subject of ongoing litigation.

He further urged the ADC to merge its structure with the NDC and throw its support behind Peter Obi for the presidency in 2027.

“It is time to advise the ADC to collapse its structure into NDC and support Peter Obi for president,” he wrote, expressing optimism about the country’s future by concluding that “Nigeria will be OK.”

The comments reflect the growing political debates and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties and stakeholders continue to position themselves in an evolving political landscape.

Politics

2027: ADC candidates in panic mode

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

Winners of primary elections conducted by the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections are in panic mode.

This is following an Abuja Federal High Court order on Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should deregister the party and four others.

The affected parties are the African

Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Observers had said the development could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.

Already, sources said some candidates of the ADC are seriously jittery as over the uncertainties surrounding the party’s participation in the coming elections.

A top party member told newsdiggers.com that the court decision has unsettled many candidates.

“‘ Obviously, there is anxiety. The candidates can’t be merrying or partying over such order. It is better to lose at the polls than to be prevented from taking part in this controversial manner.”

He added: ” Any candidate who is not strong willed can develop high blood pressure and slump because they have spent so much financially, psychologically and emotionally to this this far.”

A source close to a candidate in the Southeast said. “My principal became instantly feverish immediately the news broke yesterday.”

In spite of the party assurance that it would participate in the election, the source said the principal remains pessimistic, saying: “He fears that even if they participate, the court can still turn around and nullify the results especially in places where ADC does well.”

Delivering the judgment that has put the fate of ADC in the balance, Justice Peter Lifu held that the parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration and directed INEC to take steps to deregister them.

The suit was instituted by a group of former lawmakers, who asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the performance benchmarks outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties consistently failed to meet the conditions required for continued registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or winning elective positions at the national, state, or local government levels.

The group argued that the five parties did not attain the prescribed electoral threshold during the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.

They contended that allowing the parties to remain on the register despite their poor electoral performance amounted to a violation of constitutional provisions and undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

In addition, they sought an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections, conducting party primaries, organising rallies, or engaging in other political activities pending compliance with constitutional requirements.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.

The judgment could have major political implications, particularly for the ADC, which has recently been linked to opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 presidential election. However, it remains unclear whether the affected parties will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.