The Kwara State Government has filed a criminal defamation suit against former Senate President Bukola Saraki over comments concerning Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's educational qualifications.
The Kwara State Government has filed a criminal defamation suit against former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over alleged false claims questioning the educational qualifications of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The case, instituted before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, accuses Saraki of publishing statements on social media and in newspapers on April 17, 2026, alleging that the governor did not attain secondary school education.
According to court documents filed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Akande, and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B.L. Abdulsalam, the statements were false, malicious and capable of bringing the governor and the state government into disrepute.
The prosecution further alleged that the publication contained insulting and abusive language likely to incite public unrest and disturb public peace, contrary to Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.
At Wednesday’s proceedings before Justice M.O. Folorunso, prosecuting counsel, R.O. Balogun, urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Saraki for allegedly failing to appear despite being served with court processes.
“The defendant was duly served but failed to appear before the court. We therefore urge Your Lordship to issue a bench warrant to compel his attendance,” Balogun told the court.
The prosecution also opposed an application for adjournment, insisting it was prepared to proceed with the matter.
However, counsel to Saraki, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), challenged the court’s jurisdiction and questioned the validity of the service of court documents.
“This matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. In addition, the defendant was not properly served with the processes relied upon by the prosecution,” Mumini argued.
Following submissions from both parties, Justice Folorunso ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment and subsequently fixed July 3, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment.
The latest case adds to a growing legal battle between the AbdulRazaq administration and the former Senate President.
Earlier on April 9, the Kwara State Government filed a separate 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Chief of Staff Yusuf Abdulwahab, and Alabi Olalekan over allegations linked to the arming of suspects convicted in connection with the 2018 Offa robbery attacks.
Saraki has denied any involvement in armed robbery or related criminal activities, maintaining that previous investigations cleared him of wrongdoing.
“I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter,” Saraki said in a statement, describing the prosecution as politically motivated.
In a separate statement issued through his media office on Wednesday, Saraki confirmed that his legal team appeared before the Kwara State High Court to challenge the latest suit.
According to the statement, the case arose from a social media post he made on April 17, 2026, in response to an earlier statement by the state government. The suit alleges that his comments on Facebook and X questioning Governor AbdulRazaq’s educational qualifications amounted to criminal defamation and cyberbullying.
Saraki’s legal team, however, argued that the posts were protected under his constitutional right to freedom of expression and constituted a legitimate right of reply.
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