Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political rivalry between former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State Government escalated on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, when the state filed a criminal defamation suit against the former governor over comments concerning Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's educational qualifications. The case, which came up before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, centres on a social media post Saraki made on April 17, 2026, in which he allegedly claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq did not possess secondary school education. The state government argued that the statement was false, malicious, and capable of inciting public unrest.
The one-count charge, filed by the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, alleged that Saraki's comments contravened Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code, which criminalises defamatory acts likely to breach public peace. The charge sheet, signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Idowu Akande, and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B.L. Abdulsalam, accused Saraki of publishing and circulating the statement on social media platforms including Facebook and X, as well as in newspapers, on or about April 17, 2026. The prosecution maintained that the publication contained insulting, derogatory, and abusive language intended to provoke the governor and the state government, and was capable of causing a breakdown of public peace.
At Wednesday's proceedings, prosecution counsel Rafiu Balogun informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and urged the judge to issue a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear in court despite being served with court processes. Balogun argued that the defendant's counsel was in court, indicating awareness of the proceedings, and that no valid reason had been given for Saraki's absence. He prayed the court to issue a bench warrant in line with Section 138 to compel the former Senate President's attendance.
However, Saraki's lead counsel, Jimoh Mumini, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, challenged the competence of the suit, arguing that the Kwara State High Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter. Mumini contended that the case ought to have been filed at the Federal High Court, as the subject matter fell within its purview. He also questioned whether Saraki had been properly served with court documents, insisting that the service was invalid. The defence further argued that Saraki's social media post was a legitimate exercise of his freedom of speech and his right of reply as the leader of the opposition in the state.
Following arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Folorunso, stood down the matter for about two hours to consider the submissions. Upon resumption, the judge ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment. The court subsequently adjourned the case until July 3, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objection challenging jurisdiction and for the possible arraignment of the former Senate President.
Reacting to the development, Saraki, in a statement issued by his media office, dismissed the suit as a recurring attempt by the Kwara governor to use the courts to harass and intimidate opposition leaders. He expressed confidence that the case would fail, noting that the government's resources would be better utilised in addressing the acute insecurity plaguing the state, where two of the three senatorial districts had become a den of kidnappers and bandits. He also pointed to the case of 176 people kidnapped from Woro community since early February, arguing that their captivity was taking a back seat to a social media post that the governor's handlers found unpleasant. Saraki vowed not to be silenced on issues of public interest and assured his supporters that the oppressive tactics aimed at intimidating him would come to nought.
The latest suit deepens the legal confrontation between the AbdulRazaq administration and Saraki. Earlier on April 9, 2026, the state government filed a separate 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and two former aides over allegations relating to the arming of suspects convicted in connection with the 2018 Offa robbery attacks. Saraki has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that previous investigations by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions had cleared him of any involvement in criminal matters, and has described the prosecutions as politically motivated.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments