The Kwara State Government has dragged former Senate President Bukola Saraki to court over allegations that he falsely claimed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq lacks a secondary school education.
The criminal defamation suit, filed before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, stems from Saraki’s April 17 social media posts on Facebook and X that questioned the governor’s educational qualifications.
Court Showdown
At Wednesday’s proceedings before Justice M.O. Folorunso, prosecuting counsel R.O. Balogun requested a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear despite being served court processes.
But Saraki’s legal team, led by Jimoh Mumini (SAN), fired back, challenging both the court’s jurisdiction and the validity of service.
“This matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court,” Mumini argued, insisting his client wasn’t properly served.
Legal Fireworks
The prosecution maintains Saraki’s statements were “false, malicious and intended to bring the governor and state government into disrepute,” citing Section 399 of the Penal Code.
After a two-hour stand-down, Justice Folorunso ruled Saraki was entitled to an adjournment and fixed July 3, 2026 for hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment.
Political Vendetta or Justice?
Saraki’s camp isn’t backing down. In a statement from his media office, the former Senate President described the lawsuit as a “diversionary tactic” aimed at silencing opposition.
“Dr Saraki’s post… were mere exercises of his freedom of speech and right of reply, as the leader of the opposition,” the statement read, questioning why a social media post warrants criminal charges.
The statement also took a swipe at the government’s priorities, pointing to the 176 people kidnapped from Woro community since February who remain in captivity while the governor “dissipates resources on the impact of words.”
Déjà Vu
This isn’t the first legal salvo. On April 9, the government filed a 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and two aides over alleged links to arming suspects in the 2018 Offa robbery attacks.
Saraki has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting he was cleared by police and federal prosecutors, and describing the cases as “politically motivated.”
