A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has granted bail to Tanimu Turaki, factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the sum of N100 million over allegations of providing false information to the police.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty after the charge was read in court.
He is being prosecuted by the office of the inspector-general of police over a petition he allegedly authored on October 5, 2022, accusing one Saidi Mainasara with the intent of triggering police action against him.
The prosecution, led by Usman Rabiu, opposed the bail application and urged the court to remand the defendant, citing his conduct and antecedents.
However, defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, argued that bail is a constitutional right and maintained that the prosecution failed to present sufficient grounds to deny it.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Peter Kekemeke held that bail remains a constitutional entitlement and that no compelling reason had been shown to refuse the application.
He noted that although a bench warrant had earlier been issued, it was vacated after Turaki voluntarily appeared before the court.
The judge admitted Turaki to 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 post-call experience or a legal practitioner with no fewer than 40 years in practice.
The case was adjourned to June 11 for commencement of trial.
