Kwara govt sues former Senate President Saraki over alleged defamation against AbdulRazaq

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

The Kwara State Government has instituted criminal defamation proceedings against former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over alleged defamatory statements made against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The case was filed before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday through a one-count charge signed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ayoola Idowu Akande, and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B.L. Abdulsalam.

According to the charge sheet, Saraki allegedly published and circulated statements on social media platforms and in newspapers on April 17, 2026, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not attain secondary school education. The government contends that the statements were false and deliberately intended to insult and provoke the governor as well as the state government.

The prosecution further alleged that the publication contained insulting, derogatory and abusive language capable of inciting public disorder and causing a breakdown of peace. It argued that the alleged act contravenes Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.

When the matter came up in court on Wednesday, prosecuting counsel R.O. Balogun informed the court that the case 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 opposed an application for adjournment by the defence, insisting that the defendant’s legal representatives were already in court and that there was no sufficient explanation for Saraki’s absence. He maintained that the prosecution was prepared to proceed and urged the court to compel the former senate president’s appearance in line with the relevant provisions of the law.

In response, Saraki’s counsel, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), challenged the jurisdiction of the Kwara State High Court to entertain the matter, arguing that the case falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. He also questioned the validity of the service of court processes on his client, maintaining that Saraki had not been properly served.

Following a two-hour recess to consider the arguments of both parties, the presiding judge, Justice M.O. Folorunso, ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment. The court subsequently deferred the matter to July 3, 2026, for the hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment of the former senate president.