A Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the Nigerian Police from presenting a DNA test result in a paternity case involving former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki, who is locked in a legal battle with Hadiza Baffa over the paternity of her daughter, had approached the court, claiming that the DNA test was conducted in violation of his fundamental rights.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after Turaki’s lawyer, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), argued that the police were planning to use the test result as evidence in a criminal case against him at an FCT Magistrate Court.
Although the court had previously declined to stop the police from presenting the DNA test, it ordered all parties involved to submit their positions before making a final ruling. However, the police failed to comply, instead filing a counter-affidavit.
In response, the judge restrained the police and all parties from taking any further steps that could affect Turaki’s case until a final decision is made. The court also ordered the police to submit all necessary legal documents before the next hearing, scheduled for February 28.
The ex-minister has maintained that he was coerced into taking the DNA test after being detained for hours at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja. He insists that the test results should not be used in legal proceedings, as they were obtained under duress.
With tensions rising, all eyes are now on the next court session, where the fate of the DNA test—and the high-profile paternity case—will be determined.
