A young woman, Hadiza Musa Baffa, has come forward to explain how Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Minister of Special Duties, allegedly raped her in 2014 and used his influence to intimidate her into silence for years.

In a tearful narration in an August 17, 2025, video obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, Hadiza said the former minister has consistently threatened her life and subjected her and her child to relentless intimidation.

“He has been using his power and his status to threaten my life and frustrate my life with my child. For the record, I didn’t do anything of such,” she said.

According to Hadiza, the former minister is the father of her child. She denied claims linked to a mysterious letter in circulation that allegedly involved her, insisting she did not know of it.

“I didn’t write any letter and I have no idea about that letter or why the person that wrote it wrote it,” she stressed.

She recounted that in September 2014, while she was a student of Base University, Abuja, the minister sent his driver, identified as Shehu, to pick her up around 4 p.m. She was then taken to a residence on Yadema Street, Asokoro, which she later described as “Han’s place.”

Hadiza said the following day, in the dead of night, the former minister gained access to the room where she was kept.

“He came around 1 a.m. in 2014. I don’t want to go into details because it’s not a fun thing to say. He raped me that night and asked me not to say anything. He left and I was really scared to talk,” she said, breaking down in tears.

She recalled how she tried to mask her trauma when she returned to school but her friend and roommate quickly noticed that something was wrong.

“She asked me, Hadiza are you really okay? You can talk to me. I said, yes, I’m fine. She said, you look different. I said, no, I’m fine.

"There is evidence to be pushed out soon,” she recounted.

Turaki Earlier Denied Allegations

Turaki had described the allegations as “spurious, politically motivated, and orchestrated by adversaries to smear his name.”

Turaki, who had previously maintained silence while the matter went through police investigation and the courts, later said he was compelled to speak because “silence is no longer golden.”

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Lawal Umar, the ex-minister said, “In light of these facts, it is both fair and just to acknowledge that the allegations were unfounded and as Mr. Turaki has consistently maintained, were orchestrated by political adversaries using her as part of a smear campaign.

“He has refused to succumb to such tactics and remains committed to upholding his integrity, the rule of law, and the principles of justice.”

The former minister said he deliberately avoided making public comments during the police investigation and trial to prevent being accused of interference with judicial processes, a stance which, according to him, gave room for “unverified narratives” to dominate on social media.

Turaki explained that the background of the case stemmed from a long-standing relationship with Baffa’s family. According to him, Hadiza’s mother entrusted her to his care when she moved to Abuja.

But after several incidents involving alleged financial scams that led to her arrests, he said he decided to report her conduct to her family and “withdrew his guardianship.”

He claimed Hadiza became aggrieved over his decision and retaliated by petitioning the police with accusations of rape, unlawful termination of pregnancy, and threats to life—allegations which she also circulated on social media.

The statement noted that police investigations found no evidence to back her claims, though a charge was filed against him before she later wrote to the police and court to withdraw the petition. He said the case was eventually struck out, discharging the former minister.

Turaki also alleged that Hadiza’s father, who initially supported her, later wrote a letter of apology to him, adding that Hadiza herself sent a WhatsApp message from her verified number expressing regret and seeking forgiveness.

On the controversial DNA claims that surfaced online, Turaki insisted he only became aware of the purported result through social media and had challenged its authenticity in court.

He said the court had already restrained parties from relying on the said result pending the determination of the suit.

Despite the discharge, the former minister lamented that the allegations have continued to trend “with different narratives tailored to suit various sponsors,” hence his decision to break his silence for the record and posterity.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported how a coalition of concerned citizens and gender rights advocates called for an intervention in the ongoing case of Hadiza Musa Baffa versus the former Minister of Special Duties.

The coalition, in a release, asked for independent oversight of judicial proceedings to ensure fairness and transparency in the case and pushed the hashtag #JusticeForHadiza.

The coalition also called on women’s groups and human rights defenders across Nigeria and beyond to monitor the case closely.Nigerian cultural tourism packages

It said: “Hadiza’s ordeal is a harrowing account of alleged repeated sexual abuse, emotional manipulation, and systemic silencing by a former government official.

“According to disturbing revelations emerging from court proceedings, Hadiza suffered eight forced abortions and is currently locked in a paternity dispute over her surviving child — after years of alleged abuse.

“Despite sustained efforts to suppress the case through intimidation, legal technicalities, and institutional manipulation, Hadiza has remained unwavering in her pursuit of justice.

“The recent ruling by the Magistrate Court rejecting Turaki’s bid to halt a DNA test is a pivotal moment — not only in her case but for survivors of abuse nationwide. This is not just a personal matter. It is a national emergency.”

“The coalition further stressed that the abuse of power and status ‘to exploit, silence, and discard vulnerable women must no longer be tolerated.’”

It urged the following actions: Immediate intervention and monitoring by CSOs and human rights groups to ensure Hadiza’s safety and legal protection; Provision of legal aid, psychological support, and safe shelter for Hadiza and others like she; Public condemnation by women’s groups, bar associations, and legal advocacy platforms to deter future abuses; Independent oversight of judicial proceedings to ensure fairness and transparency.

“As the hashtag #JusticeForHadiza continues to trend across social media, we must ensure it does not end as another fleeting moment of outrage. We call on the conscience of Nigeria’s civil society to stand with Hadiza and ensure that her courage is not punished — but protected. The world is watching. Nigeria must not fail her,” the coalition noted.