A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has scheduled July 22, 2026, for the arraignment of former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over an alleged defamatory statement against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The case followed criminal defamation charges filed by the Kwara State Government, accusing Saraki of making and circulating statements allegedly intended to damage the governor’s reputation and provoke public unrest.
According to the prosecution, Saraki allegedly published a statement on April 17, 2026, through social media platforms and newspapers, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not possess secondary school education.
The government maintained that the statement was false, insulting and capable of inciting a breach of public peace, contrary to the provisions of the Kwara State Penal Code.
Saraki’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jimoh Mumeen and represented in court by T.A. Ahmed, challenged the suit by filing a motion questioning the court’s jurisdiction.
The defence argued that the case suffered from improper service, amounted to an abuse of court process and should not be heard by the state High Court.
However, the prosecution, led by Rafiu Balogun, opposed the application, describing it as lacking merit and urging the court to dismiss the objections raised by the defence.
In a ruling, Justice M.O. Folorunsho dismissed all seven objections brought by Saraki’s legal team, holding that the Kwara State High Court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The judge ruled that the allegations contained in the charge are properly before the court and rejected claims that the prosecution was politically motivated, stating that the evidence presented did not support such an argument.
Justice Folorunsho also explained that Saraki’s physical presence was not required while the court determined the preliminary objections because they were interlocutory proceedings.
Having dismissed the application, the court adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, when Saraki is expected to be formally arraigned on the criminal defamation charge.
