The factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), on Thursday filed an appeal against a bench warrant issued against him by a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Turaki described the bench warrant as unjust and sought its immediate suspension.

In a statement released through his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Turaki insisted that the case is entirely personal and has no connection with his role in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“The said petition was written in 2022, and the case emanating therefrom was charged to court today, but due to his sudden hospital visit, he was absent from court,” the statement read.

“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 an application for a stay of execution against the said order.

“While it needs emphasising that this matter is completely unrelated to the Peoples Democratic Party or the contemporary issues arising therefrom, external political influence cannot be completely ruled out.

“We urge all party members to remain calm as Turaki’s legal team is effectively handling the situation.”

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the FCT High Court in Maitama issued the bench warrant following Turaki’s absence at the arraignment of a criminal case in which he is accused of submitting false information to the police in a petition dated October 5, 2022.

The case, filed under charge number FCT/HC/CR/647/25, was lodged by the Inspector-General of Police.

Justice U.P. Kekemeke granted the bench warrant after Turaki failed to appear on the scheduled dates, prompting his legal team to immediately file both an appeal and an application for a stay of execution.

Earlier, during proceedings in January, Turaki’s absence was attributed to a petition he filed challenging the judge handling the case.

His counsel, S. Nasir, argued that confidence in the judiciary is critical and that the petition sought to address concerns over the impartiality of the court.

The prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, countered that such a petition could not automatically halt ongoing proceedings and requested the issuance of a bench warrant, warning against potential frustration of criminal trials.

Justice K.N. Ogbonnaya, who presided over earlier hearings, had emphasized that only a written directive from the Chief Judge could suspend the proceedings and stressed that once a court directs a defendant to appear, compliance is mandatory.

She also declined to immediately issue a bench warrant at the time, noting discretion in the matter.

Turaki, a former minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, served as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs from 2013 to 2015 and as Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity from 2014 to 2015.

He is currently facing prosecution for allegedly providing false information to the Inspector-General of Police, an act prosecutors say contravenes Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

In the statement, Abdullahi urged party members and the public to remain calm, noting that Turaki’s legal team is actively managing the case.