A former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, has been arraigned on charges of false marriage, adultery, and related offences.
Turaki, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was granted bail in the sum of N1 million.
The police stated that the case stemmed from a petition dated August 9, 2024, which accused him of deceitfully inducing a belief in a lawful marriage, committing adultery, and engaging in criminal intimidation, offences contrary to sections 383, 387, and 388 of the Penal Code.
According to the charge, “Between December 2014 and August 2016, you, Barrister Kabiru Taminu Turaki (SAN), 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. In November 2021, you rented an apartment for her at No. 12 Clement Akpamgbo Close, Guzape, and led her to believe you were married to her. You continuously had sexual relations with her, resulting in the birth of a baby girl.
“You later abandoned Hadiza Musa Baffa and her child, denying paternity, and threatened to use your influence and position to harm them.”
After Turaki entered his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Chijioke Okorie, requested a trial date.
The defendant’s lawyer, A. I. Mohammed, did not oppose the prosecution’s request but applied for bail, assuring the court that his client would be available whenever required.
Magistrate Abubakar Jega granted Turaki bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide proof of residence. The case was adjourned until March 11 for a hearing.
In 2024, Turaki had filed an ex-parte application seeking to restrain the Inspector General of Police and the family members of Musa Baffa, including his wife, Uwani Arabi, and daughter, Hadiza Baffa, pending the determination of a paternity suit before a high court.
The former minister had alleged that Hadiza and her parents falsely accused him of fathering her child.
