Ex-minister Turaki granted N1m bail after arraignment for ‘adultery, criminal intimidation’

A magistrate court in the federal capital territory (FCT) has granted N1 million bail to Kabiru Turaki, a former minister of special duties and inter-governmental affairs, following his arraignment on false marriage, adultery, and other offences.

Turaki pleaded not guilty when the first information report (FIR) was read to him at the magistrate’s court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Thursday.

In the FIR, Turaki is accused of “deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage, adultery, and criminal intimidation, contrary to sections 383, 387, and 389 of the Penal Code.”

The prosecution stated that the investigation of the case was informed by a petition dated August 9, 2024, received by the deputy inspector-general of police, Force FCID, Abuja.

The charge stated that “you Barrister Kabiru Taminu Turaki (SAN), between December 2014 and August 2016, deceitfully cohabited with Ms. Hadiza Musa Bafta at a hotel called Han’s Place”.

“You also cohabited with her at Ideal Home Holiday, Asokoro, between August 2016 and November 2021,” it added.

“You hired a place for her at No. 12 Clement Akpagbo Close, Gauzape, from November 2021 and made her believe you were married to her and continuously had sexual intercourse with her, which resulted to a baby girl.

“You abandoned Hadiza Musa Baffa with her only child and denied the paternity. You threatened to use your influence and position to terminate the lives of mother and child.

“You are thereby suspected to have committed the above offences.”

After the defendant’s plea, Chijioke Okorie, the prosecuting lawyer, asked the court to set a date for the commencement of trial.

Turaki’s lawyer, A. I. Mohammed, who did not object to the prosecution’s request for a date for trial, applied for bail on the grounds that he would be available whenever required to attend court.

Abubakar Jega, the presiding magistrate, granted bail to Turaki at N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must provide evidence of the residences.

The magistrate then adjourned till March 11 for the commencement of trial.