By Momodu Favour

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), over alleged failure to appear in court.

The order was given on Thursday by Justice Keke Meke, who also dismissed an application filed by the defence seeking to quash the charges against the defendant.

Turaki is expected to be arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, on allegations of providing false information to law enforcement authorities.

The case was initially assigned to a High Court in Zuba, but proceedings were stalled after the defendant failed to appear for arraignment. His legal team subsequently filed a petition against the presiding judge and requested that the matter be reassigned.

However, in his ruling, Justice Meke held that there was no justification for Turaki’s absence, stressing that the defendant was fully aware of the court proceedings. The court consequently ordered his arrest to compel his appearance.

During the hearing, prosecution counsel, Rabiu Umar, opposed the defence application, while defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, had urged the court to dismiss the charges.

The court adjourned the matter to April 22 for arraignment.

The development marks a significant turn in the legal proceedings involving the former minister, as authorities move to enforce his appearance before the court.