ABUJA* – An Abuja High Court on Wednesday vacated the bench warrant it issued on March 26 for the arrest of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Turaki.

Justice Peter Kekemeke vacated the arrest warrant while ruling on an oral application by Turaki’s lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), after the defendant appeared in court.

When the case was called, Uche apologised to the court for his absence on the previous adjourned date, explaining that he was out of the country and only returned earlier on Wednesday before proceeding straight to court.

He also tendered an apology on behalf of his client, describing Turaki as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who holds the court in high regard. Uche said his client’s absence was not intentional or meant to disrespect the court.

To demonstrate good faith, Uche withdrew the motion on notice filed by Turaki seeking a stay of execution of the arrest warrant. He added that his client was ready to take his plea on the charge pending against him.

The prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, said he had no objection to the applications, noting that the essence of the arrest warrant was to compel the defendant’s appearance in court.

“Since he is here, we are not opposed to his being arraigned today,” Rabiu stated.

In his ruling, Justice Kekemeke observed that the defendant appeared in court on his own before the warrant could be executed. He pardoned Turaki, noting that his lawyer had apologised for the previous absence, even though the reason given was not entirely clear.

The judge however declined to proceed with the arraignment on Wednesday, stating that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the motion on notice. He struck out the motion after it was withdrawn by the defence without objection from the prosecution.

Justice Kekemeke then adjourned the case to *April 22, 2026*, for the arraignment of Kabiru Turaki on a one-count charge marked CR/647/2026, filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The charge, among other allegations, accuses Turaki of giving false information to the police.

The court had issued the bench warrant on March 26 after Turaki failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment.