Court Permits Police to Reopen Case against PDP Factional Chair Tanimu Turaki

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court has granted the prosecution’s application to reopen its case and call additional witnesses in the ongoing trial of Tanimu Turaki, factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Peter Kekemeke, the presiding judge, granted the application filed by Usman Aliyu, the police counsel, on Monday.

Turaki, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is facing trial on a one-count charge preferred against him by the office of the inspector-general of police (IGP).

He was accused of providing false information in a petition submitted to the police. Turaki pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In April, the court admitted Turaki to bail in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in like sum.

In October, Aliyu asked the court to allow the prosecution to reopen its case, call additional witnesses and present further evidence against the factional PDP chairman.

The prosecution had closed its case on June 18, 2026, after calling only one witness. The application was opposed by Abdulaziz Ibrahim, counsel to the defendant.

In his ruling, the judge held that the application was meritorious and granted the prosecution leave to call additional witnesses.

After the application was granted, Aliyu told the court that none of the prosecution’s additional witnesses was present and sought an adjournment to enable him to produce them.

The judge adjourned the case until January 27, 2027.