The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted the police permission to reopen their case against Tanimu Turaki, factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and present additional witnesses in his ongoing trial.
The presiding judge, Peter Kekemeke, granted the application on Monday following a request by the prosecution counsel, Usman Aliyu.
The police had earlier closed their case on June 18, 2026, after presenting only one witness. However, in October, Aliyu approached the court, seeking permission to reopen the prosecution’s case, call additional witnesses and tender further evidence against the defendant.
Turaki’s lawyer, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, opposed the application, arguing against the prosecution’s request to reopen its case.
However, in his ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that the application had merit and consequently granted the prosecution leave to present additional witnesses.
Following the ruling, Aliyu informed the court that the additional witnesses were not available and requested an adjournment to enable the prosecution to produce them.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027.
Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is standing trial on a one-count charge instituted against him by the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.
He was accused of providing false information in a petition submitted to the police, an allegation to which he pleaded not guilty.
The defendant was admitted to bail in April in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in like sum.
The case is expected to resume in January, when the prosecution is expected to present its additional witnesses.
