A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has fixed July 22, 2026, for the arraignment of Senate President Bukola Saraki over an alleged derogatory and defamatory statement against the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The Kwara State Government had dragged Saraki before the court over alleged criminal defamation against the governor.
Naijaonpoint reports that the state accused the former Kwara governor of publishing and sharing a statement on or about April 17, 2026, on social media and in newspapers, allegedly containing insulting, derogatory and abusive language against AbdulRazaq.
According to the charge, Saraki allegedly claimed that the governor was not educated up to secondary school level, a statement the prosecution said he “knew or ought to have known to be false.”
The charge added that the statement was allegedly published “in a manner to insult or provoke the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Kwara State Government,” and was likely to cause a breakdown of public peace.
The offence, according to the state, is punishable under Section 399 of the Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.
In a motion on notice, counsel to Saraki, Jimoh Mumeen (SAN), raised seven principal reliefs, bordering on alleged improper service, lack of jurisdiction, abuse of court process and other grounds.
Mumeen argued that the matter was not triable before the state High Court.
Adopting the defendant’s written address on Thursday, Mumeen, who was represented by T.A. Ahmed, urged the court to dismiss the charge.
“In all, we pray the court to dismiss the charge before it. Looking at the position of our address, we urge the court to decline jurisdiction on the matter,” he said.
However, prosecution counsel, Rafiu Balogun, opposed the application, saying the state had filed a counter-affidavit on June 11, 2026.
Balogun urged the court to dismiss Saraki’s application, describing it as lacking merit.
“We opposed the motion on notice by filing a counter-affidavit on June 11, 2026. I pray the court to dismiss the application of the defendant/applicant. The application is frivolous and incongruous,” he told the court.
Delivering his ruling, Justice M.O. Folorunsho resolved all seven reliefs sought by Saraki in favour of the prosecution.
The judge held that the alleged offence was triable by the court, adding that the court had the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
“This court is blessed with territorial jurisdiction to hear this case,” Justice Folorunsho ruled.
He further held that the allegation of criminal defamation “is standing against Senator Saraki on the matter.”
On Saraki’s physical presence in court for arraignment, the judge said the court could dispense with the defendant’s appearance at the interlocutory stage.
“By the provision of Section 227b, Supra, this application being interlocutory, this court can dispense with the physical presence of the defendant/applicant, which has been done up till when this ruling is being given now,” he said.
Justice Folorunsho also rejected the claim that the matter was politically motivated.
“An appraisal of the charge sheet and the accompanying proof of evidence does not in any way suggest it is a politically motivated action. In view of the above, I hold that the objection of the defendant/applicant is without any iota, and it is accordingly hereby dismissed,” the judge held.
He added that the relief seeking to defer Saraki’s appearance and arraignment until the determination of the application had become academic and was refused.
The case was thereafter adjourned to July 22, 2026, for arraignment.
