By Zainab Bakare
The Kwara State Government has instituted a criminal defamation suit against former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over alleged false claims concerning the educational qualifications of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The case was filed before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin 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 matter came up on Wednesday before Justice M.O. Folorunso.
According to court documents, the government alleges that on April 17, 2026, Saraki published statements on social media and in newspapers claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not attain secondary school education.
The prosecution described the statements as false, malicious, and intended to bring both the governor and the state government into disrepute. It further argued that the publication contained insulting and abusive language capable of inciting public unrest and disturbing public peace, contrary to Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.
During proceedings, prosecuting counsel R.O. Balogun urged the court to issue a bench warrant for Saraki’s arrest after he allegedly failed to appear despite being served with the 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 submitted.
The prosecution also opposed an application for adjournment filed by the defence, maintaining that it was ready to proceed.
However, Saraki’s counsel, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), challenged the court’s jurisdiction and questioned the validity of the service of the court processes.
“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.
After hearing submissions from both parties and standing down the matter for about two hours, Justice Folorunso ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment. The case was subsequently adjourned until July 3, 2026, for hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment.
Earlier Charges
The latest suit adds to the ongoing legal dispute between the AbdulRazaq administration and Saraki.
On April 9, the Kwara State Government filed a separate 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and two former aides over allegations linked to the arming of suspects convicted in connection with the 2018 Offa robbery attacks.
The other defendants are Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former Chief of Staff to Ahmed, and Alabi Olalekan.
Responding to the earlier charges, Saraki denied any involvement in armed robbery or other criminal activities, insisting that previous investigations had cleared him of wrongdoing.
“I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter,” he said in a statement personally signed by him, describing the prosecution as politically motivated.
In a separate statement issued on Wednesday through his media office, Saraki confirmed that his legal team, led by Jimoh Mumini (SAN), appeared before the Kwara State High Court to challenge the latest suit.
According to the statement, the case stems 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 constituted a lawful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and a legitimate right of reply.
