Kwara Government Sues Saraki Over Alleged Defamation of Governor Abdulrazaq

The Kwara State Government has instituted criminal defamation proceedings against former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over comments allegedly made against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The case was brought before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday, with the state accusing Saraki of publishing and circulating statements deemed insulting and defamatory towards the governor.

According to a one-count charge filed by the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, Saraki allegedly published and shared statements on or about April 17, 2026, through social media platforms and newspaper publications, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not possess secondary school education qualifications.

The charge sheet, signed by the 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, alleged that the statements were false and deliberately intended to insult and provoke the governor as well as the Kwara State Government.

The prosecution further contended that the publication was capable of causing a breach of public peace and therefore constituted an offence punishable under Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.

The charge stated that Saraki "knew or ought to have known" that the statements were false but nevertheless proceeded to publish them in a manner considered insulting, derogatory and abusive.

When the matter came up before Justice M. O. Folorunso on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Rafiu Balogun, informed the court that the case was scheduled for arraignment and urged the court to issue a bench warrant compelling Saraki's appearance.

Balogun argued that the defendant had been duly served and that there was no justification for his absence in court.

"The defendant's counsel is in court appearing for him and he should be here. We're the prosecution and we should be in charge. He's been duly served. The case should commence. There is no reason proffered by his counsel for his absence. We pray the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendant in line with Section 138," the prosecution counsel submitted.

However, counsel to the defendant, Jimoh Mumeen (SAN), opposed the application and challenged the jurisdiction of the state high court to entertain the matter. Mumeen argued that the issues raised in the charge fall within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court rather than the state high court.

"The defendant brought the matter here for reasons best known to them," he told the court.

The senior advocate also challenged the service of court processes on his client, insisting that Saraki had not been properly served.

"We challenge the service," he added.

Following arguments from both parties, Justice Folorunso stood down the matter for about two hours to consider the issues raised, particularly the application for a bench warrant and the defence's request for adjournment.

In his ruling, the judge held that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment and declined to grant the prosecution's request at that stage.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 3, 2026, for the hearing of the preliminary objection challenging jurisdiction and for possible arraignment of the defendant.

The case is expected to test legal questions surrounding jurisdiction, service of court processes and the scope of criminal defamation under Kwara State law.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Saraki nor Governor AbdulRazaq had personally commented on the proceedings.