Former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Barrister Kabiru Taminu Turaki (SAN), was on Friday Arraigned before a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on charges including false marriage, adultery, and criminal intimidation.
He was later granted N1 million bail after he pleaded not guilty when the first information report (FIR) was read to him.
According to the FIR, Turaki is accused of deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage, adultery, and criminal intimidation, contravening sections 383, 387, and 389 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution, led by Chijioke Okorie, informed the court that the case stemmed from a petition received by the deputy inspector-general of police, Force FCID, Abuja, dated August 9, 2024.
The charges detailed that Turaki allegedly cohabited with Ms. Hadiza Musa Bafta at various locations between December 2014 and November 2021, leading her to believe they were married.
The prosecution further alleged that Turaki abandoned Bafta and their child, denying paternity and threatening harm to both mother and child.
After Turaki’s plea, his lawyer, A. I. Mohammed, did not contest the prosecution’s request for trial commencement but applied for bail, asserting his client’s availability for court proceedings.
Magistrate Abubakar Jega subsequently granted Turaki bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties, as stipulated, must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide proof of residence.
The court adjourned the case till March 11 for the commencement of trial, allowing time for both the prosecution and defense to prepare their respective cases.
Turaki, a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, has faced previous legal challenges and continues to maintain his innocence amidst these new allegations.
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