Court Sets N100m Bail, Demands SAN Surety for Taminu Turaki
Court Sets N100m Bail, Demands SAN Surety for Taminu Turaki
A High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday admitted a bail of ₦100 million to the factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
This is following his arraignment by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) before trial Justice Peter Kekemeke, for allegedly giving false information to the IGP.
Turaki was accused of providing false information to the IGP through a petition using his letterhead, dated 5 October 2022, which he signed against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara with the intent to use the lawful power of the police to the injury or annoyance of the said Mainasara.
The one-count charge marked CR/647/2026, which the Inspector General of Police (IGP) entered against him filed on November 15, 2025, reads: “That you, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, m, 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.”
According to the prosecution, the offence allegedly committed by the defendant is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.
Turaki, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him in open court.
Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, asked the court to fix a date for the prosecution to commence its case against the defendant.
However, counsel for Turaki, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, SAN, informed the court that the defendant had filed three separate motions and sought to withdraw two of them, marked M/1043/26, dated 26 January 2026, seeking bail for the defendant, and M/4847/26, dated 31 March 2026.
The two motions were subsequently struck out by the court, as the prosecution did not object to their withdrawal.
Ibrahim then moved the third motion, marked FCT/HC/M/5987, filed by the defendant, seeking an order of the court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.
He told the court that the motion was brought pursuant to Section 36(5) and (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to him, in accordance with the provisions of Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the defendant was entitled to bail as of right, unless the court held otherwise.
Urging the court to admit Turaki to bail on self-recognition, Ibrahim submitted that the defendant is an elder statesman, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a respected community leader with various chieftaincy titles.
He added that Turaki is a legal practitioner with over 40 years of experience, 20 of which he has spent as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and described him as the authentic leader of the PDP.
Prosecution counsel Mr. Usman Rabiu pushed back against the bail request, telling the court that the defendant had deliberately dodged service of the charge and failed to show up for trial until he was declared wanted.
While conceding that granting bail lies within the court’s discretion, the prosecution insisted that such discretion must be applied judicially and judiciously, not arbitrarily, even as he urged the court to consider the provisions of Section 162 of the ACJA,
Ruling on the application, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is not only at the discretion of the court but also a fundamental right.
Justice Kekemeke admitted Turaki to bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum. The surety, according to the judge, must be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria of not less than 20 years’ standing or a legal practitioner with over 40 years’ experience.
The case was adjourned until 11 June for hearing.
