•KabiruTuraki and Hadiza Baffa
Former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has again declared his innocence of all the allegations of sexual abuse and inhuman treatment leveled against him by his erstwhile ward, Hadiza Baffa.
Hadiza had in a recent viral video accused the former minister of grave offences, including alleged rape, sexual assault and forced abortion, among others, reports The Nation.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja through his counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), the former minister insisted that Hadiza’s “allegations of rape, forced abortions, rituals, threats to life and breach of promise to marry were all thoroughly investigated by the police and found to be false.”
Although he admitted he was once Hadiza’s guardian at the request of her mother, who was his childhood acquaintance, he said he severed relationship with her on account of alleged misconduct and fraudulent activities.
Turaki lamented that his association with his accuser also caused him significant financial loss and reputational risk, forcing him to withdraw his guardianship
The former minister’s solicitor stated that after failed attempts to use the police and the courts, among others to curry favour in her campaign of calumny against his client, Hadiza has resorted to the social media to advance her cause.
He said: “Our attention has been drawn to recent reports and online videos circulated by one Hadiza Musa Baffa under various captions and hashtags, including “Justice for Hadiza Baffa.”
These materials contain falsehoods, contradictions and unfounded allegations against our client, a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
“It has become necessary to set the records straight, as silence is being misinterpreted and unsuspecting members of the public risk being misled.
“In her latest videos, Hadiza attempted to discredit court records, denied issuing her own WhatsApp apology, and claimed ignorance of her application to the Inspector-General of Police and the court to withdraw her earlier petition, resulting in the striking out of the case.
“…In one of the police investigations, Hadiza alleged that a doctor, said to have been introduced to her by Dr Turaki, performed multiple abortions on her but had since died.
“When investigators visited the hospital where she claimed the procedures took place, the hospital stated that they did not know the doctor in question and that they did not carry out abortions.
“… Based on these findings, the allegation of abortions could not be substantiated, and by extension, the claim of harvesting fetuses for money rituals was found to be unfounded. This formed the conclusion of the police investigation.
“While a charge of ‘deception of marriage’ was taken to court, Hadiza herself withdrew the case, tendered an apology, and the matter was struck out.
“Her father later wrote to the police, withdrawing all previous allegations and admitting that one Saidu Mohammed Mainasara was the mastermind behind the blackmail.”
Ibrahim further said: “Frustrated by not getting what she wanted from the police and the court, Hadiza resorted to open blackmail, making outrageous demands from Turaki, including N850 million as a “one-off settlement” to keep silent, N47 million to clear her rent arrears and a luxury house in Maitama or Asokoro to sustain her lifestyle.”
Unperturbed by her antics, especially the current online campaign, the learned silk said Hadiza’s action was “nothing more than a desperate attempt to extort money from our client after failing through all legal and fraudulent channels.
“We urge members of the public and the media to disregard her baseless allegations. The truth is documented, the court has spoken, and no amount of blackmail will alter the facts.”
