A factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Tanimu Turaki SAN, was today, admitted to bail of N100 million following his arraignment by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, for allegedly giving false information to the IGP.

The PDP National Chairman was accused of giving false information to the IGP through a petition on his letter head, dated October 5, 2022, which he signed against one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara with intent to use the lawful power of IGP to the injury or annoyance of the said Mainasara.

According to the prosecution, the offence allegedly committed by the defendant was punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

Turaki, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him in the open court.

Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Usman Rabiu, asked the court to give a date for the prosecution to commence its case against the defendant.

However, counsel to Turaki, Abdulaziz Ibrahim SAN, informed the court that the defendant filed three different motions before the court and sought to withdraw two, marked M/1043/26, dated January 26, 2026, seeking bail for the defendant, and M/4847/26, dated March 31, 2026.

The two motions were subsequently struck out by the court as the prosecution did not object to their withdrawal.

Ibrahim later told the court that the third motion, marked FCT/HC/M/5987, filed by the defendant sought the order of the court to admitting the defendant to bail, pending hearing and determination of the case.

Moving the motion, Ibrahim told the court that it was brought pursuant to Section 36(5) and (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

While urging the court to admit Turaki to bail on self recognisance, Ibrahim informed the court that the defendant was an elder statesman, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a respected community leader with various chieftaincy titles.

Arguing against the defendant being granted bail by the court, Rabiu said though granting bail was at the full discretion of the court, the court should, however, consider the provision of Section 162 of ACJA in doing so.

While urging the court to refuse Turaki's bail application and remand him in a custodial facility, pending hearing and determination of the case, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant's antecedent and action were before the court.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is not only granted at the discretion of the court but is a fundamental right issue.

The judge further held that though a bench warrant was issued by the court against the defendant but he appeared in court before the warrant was executed, which made the court to eventually vacate the order.

The court held that the prosecution did not place sufficient reasons before the court for it not to grant the defendant bail and as such the court will grant bail to the defendant.

Justice Kekemeke, therefore, admitted Turaki to bail of N100 million, with one surety in like sum. The surgery, according to the judge, had to be an SAN of not less than 20 years of practice or a lawyer of over 40 years of practice.

He, then, adjourned the case to June 11 for hearing.