A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in Maitama on Wednesday admitted a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Turaki, to bail in the sum of N100 million.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs between 2013 and 2015, is facing trial over allegations that he supplied false information to the police in a petition submitted in 2022.
He was brought before Justice Peter Kekemeke on a single-count charge marked CR/647/2026, filed by the Nigeria Police Force under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police.
The charge, dated November 15, 2025, states: “That you, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, m, of No. 37 T.Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja, on or about October 5, 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, gave false information to the Inspector-General of Police via a petition dated October 5, 2022.”
Police prosecutors said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code.
Earlier, on March 26, the court had issued a warrant for Turaki’s arrest after he repeatedly failed to appear for arraignment. However, the order was lifted on April 1 when he presented himself in court and indicated readiness to face trial.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Turaki entered a not guilty plea.
His counsel, Abulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, urged the court to grant bail, citing Sections 36(5) and 36(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, alongside Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. He argued that the charge is bailable and stressed that his client remains innocent until proven otherwise.
Highlighting Turaki’s profile, the defence noted his decades-long legal career and public service. “My Lord, this defendant is also the authentic leader of the PDP. He is an elder statesman, a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a respected community leader with various chieftaincy titles,” Ibrahim said, while asking that bail be granted on self-recognition.
The prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, opposed the request, alleging that the defendant had evaded service of court processes and only appeared after being declared wanted. While acknowledging that bail rests at the court’s discretion, he argued that such discretion should be exercised cautiously and urged the court to remand the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is a fundamental right and that the court is empowered to grant it where appropriate. He also noted that Turaki eventually submitted himself to the court voluntarily before the arrest warrant could be enforced.
The judge further ruled that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to show that the defendant was likely to abscond.
Consequently, the court granted bail in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in like amount. It directed that the surety must be either a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with at least 20 years’ standing or a lawyer with over 40 years of practice.
The matter was adjourned until June 11 for commencement of hearing.
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