Former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court at Zone Two in Abuja on allegations including false marriage and adultery.
Turaki pleaded not guilty when the First Information Report (FIR) was read to him in the dock on Thursday before the presiding Magistrate of Court Nine, Abubakar Jega.
The ex-Minister asserted that the alleged offences were untrue.
As outlined in the FIR, the ex-Minister is accused of “deceitfully inducing belief of lawful marriage, adultery by a man, and criminal intimidation, contrary to sections 383, 387, and 389 of the Penal Code.”
The prosecution stated that the investigation of the case stemmed from a petition dated 9th August 2024, received by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force FCID, Abuja.
It further detailed that “you, Barrister Kabiru Taminu Turaki (SAN), between December 2014 and August 2016, deceitfully cohabited with Ms. Hadiza Musa Baffa at a hotel called Han’s Place.
“You also cohabited with her at Ideal Home Holiday, Asokoro, between August 2016 and November 2021.
“You arranged accommodation for her at No. 12 Clement Akpagbo Close, Gauzape, from November 2021, leading her to believe you were married to her and engaging in sexual intercourse, which resulted in a baby girl.
“You abandoned Hadiza Musa Baffa with her only child and denied paternity. You threatened to use your influence and position to terminate the lives of both mother and child.
“You are thus suspected of committing the above offences.”
Shortly after Turaki’s arraignment, the prosecuting lawyer, Chijioke Okorie, urged the court to set a date for the commencement of the trial.
Turaki’s lawyer, A. I. Mohammed, who did not object to the prosecution’s request for a trial date, applied for bail for the defendant on the grounds that he would be available whenever required to attend court.
Magistrate Jega granted bail to Turaki at N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
He stipulated that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of their residences.
The magistrate then adjourned the case until 11th March for the commencement of the trial.
