Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, was arraigned before Justice Peter Kekemeke on a one-count charge of allegedly giving false information to the police.

The case, marked CR/647/2026 and filed by the Inspector-General of Police, accused him of submitting misleading information in a petition dated October 5, 2022.

The charge stated that he “gave false information to the Inspector-General of Police via a petition dated October 5, 2022,” an offence said to be punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

Turaki pleaded not guilty when the charge was read in court.

His lawyer, Abulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the allegation was bailable and highlighting Turaki’s status as a former minister and senior political figure.

However, the prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, opposed the application, alleging that the defendant had previously evaded service and failed to appear in court until he was declared wanted. He urged the court to deny bail or impose strict conditions.

Delivering ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that bail is a constitutional right and noted that Turaki had voluntarily appeared before the court. The judge further ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that he was a flight risk.

The court consequently granted him bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum.

The ruling specified that the surety must either be a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with at least 20 years of standing or a legal practitioner with a minimum of 40 years post-call experience.

The case was adjourned until June 11 for further hearing.

He claimed the alleged bribery took place between the period of training and election day, during preparations for the polls.

Igini made the disclosure on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show.

According to him, some of the electoral officials who allegedly received the money later reported the incident to him.

He said he cautioned the affected officials, warning that they could face arrest if they failed to maintain ethical standards, but they reportedly argued that certain provisions of the Electoral Act protected them from consequences.

The former REC expressed concern that some legal provisions appear to grant immunity, making it difficult to sanction electoral misconduct.

He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that some provisions could undermine the credibility of the process.

Igini noted that top INEC officials, including the chairman, national commissioners, and resident electoral commissioners, would only serve supervisory roles on election day, a situation he said could create loopholes.

He said: “I had the privilege of being appointed by two presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I have traversed the entire country conducting the election.

“With respect to presiding officers, do you know that when I had trained people on a Wednesday for the 2019 election, for the Saturday election, politicians went to share money for presiding officers, dollars.

“Some of them came to me. When they told me, I said some of you will be arrested if you don’t observe the highest principle of ethical standards.

“I was told that they pointed out to them this section, saying that nothing will happen to them. They will not be invited to tribunal. So this provision we are seeing here, immunity have been provided for them. You rig election, you will not be invited. They said any instruction of INEC, you cannot obey it. Nothing will happen to you.

“Now the reason why I’m now asking my constituency (INEC) to stand tall is the fact that, in the final analysis, this matter will be taken to the court. We expect what we call a purposive interpretation…”

He added that electoral reforms are necessary to address loopholes that, in his view, have repeatedly weakened Nigeria’s electoral integrity.

Sani was reported to have arrived at the court premises before the scheduled sitting, allegedly because he is the only defendant not currently in custody.

The remaining defendants are being held by security agencies and had not yet been brought to court at the time proceedings were expected to commence.

Recall that the Federal Government on Monday filed a 13-count charge against the accused persons, bordering on terrorism, conspiracy, and failure to report intelligence related to an alleged plan to overthrow the government.

Those named in the charge include retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Naval Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is currently said to be at large.

The charge sheet alleges that the defendants conspired in 2025 in Abuja to commit acts of terrorism and to “levy war” against the Nigerian state.

They were also accused of failing to disclose intelligence about the alleged plot and of not taking steps to prevent it despite having prior knowledge.

The defendants are expected to be arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where the charges will be formally read and their pleas taken.

As of the time of filing this report, proceedings had not yet begun, with tight security deployed around the court premises as officials awaited the arrival of the remaining defendants.