THE political rivalry between former Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State Government took a fresh turn on Wednesday as the state instituted a criminal defamation suit against the former lawmaker over alleged comments concerning the educational qualifications of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
News Point Nigeria reports that the case, filed before the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, accuses Saraki of making and circulating statements through social media platforms and newspaper publications alleging that Governor AbdulRazaq did not complete his secondary school education.
According to the Kwara State Government, the statements were false, defamatory and capable of inciting public unrest. The government maintained that the allegations lacked any factual basis and were deliberately intended to damage the reputation and public image of the governor.
The one-count charge, instituted by the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, alleges that Saraki’s comments contravened Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code, which criminalises defamatory acts considered likely to breach public peace.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, Rafiu Balogun, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and urged the court to issue a bench warrant against the former Senate President for allegedly failing to appear despite being served with the necessary court processes.
Balogun also opposed an application for adjournment filed by the defence, arguing that the defendant’s physical presence was necessary for the proceedings to continue.
However, counsel to Saraki, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), challenged the competence of the suit, contending that the Kwara State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. According to the defence, the case ought to have been instituted before the Federal High Court.
The defence team further raised concerns regarding the service of court processes, questioning whether Saraki had been properly served with the relevant court documents.
Following a two-hour recess, the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Folorunso, ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment. The court subsequently fixed July 3, 2026, for the hearing of the preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction and for the possible arraignment of the former Senate President.
The latest legal dispute marks a fresh escalation in the long-standing political tension between Saraki’s political camp and the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq. Political observers are expected to closely monitor the proceedings, as the outcome could have implications for Kwara State’s political landscape ahead of future elections and possible political realignments.
With the matter now adjourned, attention shifts to the July 3 hearing when the court is expected to first determine the jurisdictional challenge before deciding the next steps in the case.
