Alleged defamation: Court set to arraign Saraki

A High Court in Kwara State, sitting in Ilorin, has scheduled the arraignment of Senate President Bukola Saraki for July 22, 2026.

He is facing charges for allegedly making derogatory and defamatory statements against Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The Kwara State government has taken Saraki to court for purported criminal defamation against the governor.

The state accused Saraki of publishing and sharing statement on or about April 17, 2026 on social media and newspapers containing insulting, derogatory and abusive languages that Governor AbdulRazaq is not educated up to secondary school education: “which you knew or ought to have known to be false, but you intentionally published the said statements in a manner to insult or provoke the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Kwara State Government, which you did in a manner likely to cause breakdown of public peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 399 of the Penal Code, CAP. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006”.

In his motion on notice, counsel to Senator Saraki, Jimoh Mumeen (SAN), had raised seven principal reliefs that bordered on improper service, lack of jurisdiction, abuse of court processes and others, saying the case is not triable in the state High Court.

Adopting the defendant’s written address on Friday, Mr Mumeen, represented by T. A. Ahmed, said that “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”.

In his address, Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Rafiu Balogun, told the court that, “we opposed the motion on notice by filing a counter affidavit on June 11, 2026.

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“I pray the court to dismiss the application of the defendant/applicant. The application is frivolous and incongruous”.

In his ruling, Justice M. O. Folorunsho, resolved all seven reliefs sought by the defendant in favour of the prosecution.

Justice Folorunsho added that the offence is triable by his court, adding that “this court is blessed with territorial jurisdiction to hear this case.

He said that the allegation of criminal defamation “is standing against Senator Saraki on the matter”.

On the physical presence of Saraki in court for arraignment, the judge said, “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.

“As the ruling of this court is delivered today, the date that the objection was taken, the relief praying that the appearance and arraignment of the defendant be deferred to after the determination of this application becomes octious and it is refused.

“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”.

Justice Folorunsho, thereafter, adjourned the case to July 22, 2026, for arraignment.