Court admits former minister to bail with strict conditions as trial is set to begin in June at the FCT High Court
A factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has been arraigned before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja over allegations of providing false information to the police.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is facing a one-count charge filed by the police, alleging that he submitted a petition in October 2022 containing false information intended to mislead authorities.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read in court.
Following his plea, the court granted him bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum. The judge ruled that the surety must be a senior legal practitioner of notable standing, either a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with at least 20 years of experience or a lawyer with over 40 years at the bar.
The court held that there was no strong reason to deny bail, noting that it is a constitutional right where the accused is yet to be proven guilty.
The case was adjourned to June 11 for the commencement of trial.
Turaki had earlier been subject to a bench warrant after failing to appear in court for his arraignment, but the warrant was later vacated when he appeared before the court.
The charge against him falls under provisions of the Penal Code relating to giving false information to public authorities.
