Turaki alleges external influence in court-issued bench warrant
From Tony Akowe, Abuja Factional National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has attributed the possible external political interference to the issuance of a bench warrant
From Tony Akowe, Abuja
Factional National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has attributed the possible external political interference to the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest by an FCT High Court in Maitama.
In a statement signed by his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdulahi, Turaki argued that his physical presence in court was not necessary, as his legal team had already filed an application to address the charge against him.
He explained that the petition forming the basis of the case was written in 2022 in his capacity as a private citizen and is unrelated to the current crisis within the PDP.
While maintaining that the matter predates ongoing party disputes, Turaki said the possibility of external political influence in the court’s decision could not be ruled out.
The statement reads, "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.
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"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.
"While it needs emphasizing that this matter is completely unrelated to the Peoples Democratic Party or the contemporary issues therefrom, external political influence cannot be completely exorcised from it.
"We urge all party members to remain calm as Turaki’s legal team is effectively handling the situation."
