Factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Tanimu Turaki, was on Wednesday arraigned before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations of providing false information to the police.
Turaki was docked on a one-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force, accusing him of submitting a petition dated October 5, 2022, to the Inspector General of Police with intent to use the authority of the office to the injury or annoyance of one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara.
The prosecution said the alleged offence is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code.
The former minister pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him. Following his plea, prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, applied for a date to commence trial.
Defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), subsequently urged the court to grant bail to his client, citing constitutional provisions guaranteeing the presumption of innocence and the right to personal liberty.
He argued that the charge is bailable and that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient grounds to deny bail.
Ibrahim also dismissed claims that Turaki had evaded service, explaining that his client was out of town at the time and later appeared voluntarily in court.
The defence further described Turaki as a senior legal practitioner with over four decades of experience and a respected public figure, urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, urging the court to exercise its discretion in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and remand the defendant pending trial.
In his ruling, Justice Peter Kekemeke held that bail remains a fundamental right and that the prosecution had not presented sufficient reasons to justify its denial.
The judge noted that although a bench warrant had earlier been issued against the defendant, it was vacated after Turaki voluntarily appeared before the court.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum.
He ruled that the surety must be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with at least 20 years’ standing or a legal practitioner with a minimum of 40 years’ experience.
The case was adjourned for the commencement of trial.
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