Former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), has been arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Abuja on allegations bordering on false marriage and adultery, among others.
The former 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 was informed by a petition dated 9th August, 2024, received by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force FCID, Abuja.
It noted that the investigation showed that Turaki “between December 2014 and August 2016, deceitfully co-habited Ms. Hadiza Musa Bafta at a hotel called Han’s Place.”
It added: “You also co-habited her at Ideal Home Holiday, Asokoro between August 2016 and November 2021.
“You hired a place for her at No. 12, Clement Akpangbo 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.”
Turaki, however, pleaded not guilty when the First Information Report (FIR) was read to him in the court on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
He said the alleged offences were not true.
The prosecuting lawyer, Chijioke Okorie, urged the court to set a date for the commencement of trial.
The defence counsel, A. I. Mohammed, who did not object to the prosecution’s request for a date for trial, applied for bail for the former minister on the grounds that he would be available whenever he is required to attend court.
The presiding magistrate, Abubakar Jega, granted bail to Turaki at N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Jega said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must provide evidence of the residences.
The magistrate, therefore, adjourned till March 11 for the commencement of trial.
