HURIWA flays allegations against ex-Minister Turaki, says he’s man of integrity

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has dismissed the allegations circulating on social media against former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, describing them as a tissue of lies aimed at tarnishing his image.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, HURIWA’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the group considered it a duty to Nigerians to “set the record straight, to separate fact from fiction, and to prevent the misuse of social media and other platforms to damage the reputation of a statesman who has served this country with honour and dedication.”

While speaking on the allegations reportedly made by one Hadiza  Baffa, HURIWA insisted that her claims are not only inconsistent but also contradicted by her own past actions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to revisit the background of the individual making these allegations. At one point in her life, Ms. Hadiza Musa Baffa was placed under guardianship by a close family friend, acting at the request of her mother.

“Unfortunately, instead of utilising this opportunity to build a promising future, reports indicate that she became entangled in conduct that created serious challenges for those who took her in, eventually leading to the termination of her guardianship and her return to her mother.

“Over time, multiple reports and testimonies have pointed to a pattern of behaviour in which Ms. Baffa allegedly engaged in impersonation and misrepresentation,” the group said.

According to HURIWA, Baffa has, at different times, presented herself as Turaki’s daughter, his niece, his uncle’s ward, and even his wife,  before most recently accusing him of abuse, including sexual assault and ritual practices.

“The contradictions in these shifting identities are glaring, and they underscore the deliberate nature of the attempt to damage the integrity of a respected figure,” the group added.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko stressed that the rights group’s position was based on verified findings, not speculation.

“We rely on verified investigations and documented findings. When these allegations were formally reported, the Nigeria Police Force, through its Force Criminal Investigation Department and Force Intelligence Department, conducted a comprehensive investigation. After an exhaustive inquiry, the Police concluded that the allegations were baseless, unfounded, and motivated by malice rather than facts.

“Beyond the conclusion of the Police, it is worth noting that her own father, Mr. Musa Bashir Baffa, wrote a formal letter of apology to Mr. Turaki. Similarly, during the holy month of Ramadan, precisely on 12 March 2025, Ms. Baffa herself sent an apology to Mr. Turaki via WhatsApp. In that message, she acknowledged her missteps, pleaded for forgiveness, and undertook to withdraw her petition. True to her word, she followed up with a formal letter dated 25 April 2025, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, in which she withdrew her petition in writing,” HURIWA noted.

Despite these apologies and the Police’s findings, the group expressed concern that Baffa had returned to social media to resurface the same claims.

“This trend is not only unfair to Mr. Turaki, it is also damaging to the wider fight for justice in Nigeria. False allegations, when left unchecked, weaken the voices of genuine victims of abuse and exploitation, who may be disbelieved because of high-profile cases of falsehood,” HURIWA said.

The association further described Turaki as a man of proven integrity whose service to Nigeria, both as a Minister and a senior lawyer, has been marked by “honour, discipline, and unwavering respect for the rule of law.

“Indeed, it is on record that he repeatedly intervened on behalf of Ms. Baffa in the past, assisting her in difficult times, including offering financial help and support when she faced legal challenges. How then does a man who was once addressed by her as ‘father’ suddenly become recast as a ‘husband’ or an ‘abuser’? The inconsistency speaks for itself,” the group added.

HURIWA urged the public, media, and civil society to treat the resurfaced claims with caution.

“In conclusion, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria reaffirms its confidence in the integrity of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN). We call on Nigerians to disregard these falsehoods and to remain alert to the dangers of allowing malicious use of social media to substitute for fact-based inquiry and due process,” HURIWA said.