A KWARA State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, has fixed July 22, 2026, for the arraignment of former Senate President Bukola Saraki over an alleged derogatory and defamatory statement against Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Kwara State Government dragged Saraki before the court on allegations of criminal defamation, accusing him of making false and insulting remarks against Governor AbdulRazaq.
According to the charge, the state alleged that Saraki published and shared a statement on or about April 17, 2026, through social media and newspapers containing insulting, derogatory and abusive language, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq was not educated up to secondary school level.
The government further alleged that Saraki “knew or ought to have known” that the statement was false, but intentionally published it in a manner intended to insult or provoke the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Kwara State Government.
It added that the publication was made in a manner likely to cause a breakdown of public peace, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.
In a motion on notice, counsel to Saraki, the defendant/applicant, Jimoh Mumeen (SAN), raised seven principal reliefs bordering on improper service, lack of jurisdiction, abuse of court process and other issues, arguing that the matter was not triable before the Kwara State High Court.
While 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 submitted.
Responding, prosecution counsel Rafiu Balogun informed the court that the state had opposed the application by filing a counter-affidavit on June 11, 2026.
“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,” Balogun argued.
In his ruling, Justice M.O. Folorunsho resolved all seven reliefs sought by the defendant in favour of the prosecution.
The judge held that the alleged offence was triable before the court, stating that, “this court is blessed with territorial jurisdiction to hear this case.”
Justice Folorunsho further ruled that the allegation of criminal defamation “is standing against Senator Saraki on the matter.”
On the issue of Saraki’s physical presence in court for his arraignment, the judge held that, “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 further ruled: “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.”
Following the ruling, Justice Folorunsho adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, for Saraki’s arraignment.