Court Adjourns Turaki’s N500m Defamation Suit To March 12

A High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing in a N500 million defamation suit filed by a former minister, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), against the defendants to March 12, 2026.

The case, marked FCT/HC/GWD/CV/189/2024, came up before Justice A. Y. Shafa, but proceedings were stalled following the defence’s application for an adjournment.

The counsel to Turaki, Kalat Nathaniel Jatau, had informed the court that an application to amend the writ of summons was ripe for hearing.

However, defence counsel Sani Suleyman opposed an immediate hearing, citing the late service of the motion on January 15, 2026, and requested time to respond.

Justice Shafa upheld the defence application and adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for the hearing of the pending motion.

Turaki asked the court to declare allegations made against him by the defendants as false, slanderous and defamatory.

He sought orders compelling the defendants to refund several sums of money, including N27 million allegedly paid as rent and N15 million for a vehicle.

The claimant also sought ₦500 million as general damages for alleged injury to his reputation and an order directing the defendants to publish a public retraction and apology.

The defendants have filed a comprehensive statement of defence denying the claims and counter-alleging sexual abuse, exploitation and breach of trust by Turaki.

According to the statement of defence, the defendants alleged that it was on 27th May, 2015, the claimant took advantage of her and had sexual intercourse with her at about 12 a.m. without her consent in Asokoro.

They sought monthly maintenance, accommodation, and a vehicle, as well as ₦1 billion in general damages for alleged abandonment.