Prosecution Seeks To Reopen Case Against PDP Chairman Turaki

The prosecution in the ongoing trial of the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Tanimu Turaki, has asked a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to allow it to reopen its case and present additional evidence.

The application was brought before the court on Wednesday as the trial over an allegation of providing false information to the police continued.

Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is facing a one-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police. The charge accuses him of providing false information to the police, among other allegations.

The prosecution lawyer, Usman Aliyu, informed the court that the prosecution had filed an application seeking permission to reopen its case, call additional witnesses and present further evidence.

Aliyu explained that the request was necessary to ensure that the case was properly prosecuted and that justice was served. He also cited several legal authorities in support of the application and urged the court to grant the request.

The prosecution had earlier closed its case on June 18 after presenting only one witness before the court.

However, the defence opposed the latest application, asking the court to reject it and award substantial costs against the prosecution.

Defence lawyer Abdulaziz Ibrahim, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued that permission to reopen a case could not be granted automatically without sufficient legal grounds.

Ibrahim told the court that the prosecution had made it clear at the beginning of the trial that it intended to rely on only one witness.

He further recalled that after the witness had testified and the prosecution closed its case, Aliyu informed the court that the prosecution was satisfied with the evidence provided by its sole witness.

The defence lawyer maintained that the prosecution had failed to present enough reasons to justify reopening the case or introducing additional witnesses and evidence.

Ibrahim also accused the prosecution of attempting to delay the trial through the application. He argued that granting the request would unnecessarily prolong the proceedings and subject Turaki to further legal pressure.

The defence therefore urged the court to dismiss the application, insisting that the prosecution should not be allowed to reopen its case without sufficient justification.

After listening to the arguments from both parties, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter until November 2 for a ruling on whether the prosecution would be permitted to reopen its case.

The court’s decision is expected to determine whether the prosecution can present additional witnesses and evidence in the ongoing trial against the PDP factional chairman.