COURT FIXES JULY 22 FOR SARAKI’S ARRAIGNMENT OVER ALLEGED DEFAMATION OF KWARA GOVERNOR
Read Time:2 Minute, 15 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has fixed July 22, 2026, for the arraignment of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over an alleged defamatory statement against Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The state government is prosecuting Saraki on allegations of criminal defamation, accusing him of making and publishing statements deemed insulting, derogatory and capable of provoking a breach of public peace.
According to the charge, the former Senate President allegedly published and circulated a statement on or about April 17, 2026, through social media and newspapers, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq was not educated up to secondary school level.
The prosecution alleged that Saraki knew, or ought to have known, that the claim was false but deliberately published it to insult and provoke the governor and the Kwara State Government, contrary to Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006, which criminalises acts likely to cause a breakdown of public peace.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Saraki’s counsel, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), represented by T.A. Ahmed, urged the court to dismiss the charge, arguing that the case was improperly brought before the High Court.
The defence sought seven principal reliefs, challenging the suit on grounds of improper service, lack of jurisdiction, abuse of court process and other procedural issues.
“Our prayer is that the court dismisses the charge before it. Looking at the position of our address, we urge the court to decline jurisdiction on the matter,” Ahmed submitted.
Opposing the application, counsel to the Kwara State Government, Rafiu Balogun, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit on June 11, 2026.
He described the application as “frivolous and incongruous” and urged the court to dismiss it.
In his ruling, Justice M.O. Folorunsho dismissed all seven objections raised by the defence, resolving the issues in favour of the prosecution.
The judge held that the court possesses the territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter and ruled that the charge of criminal defamation against Saraki was properly before the court.
Justice Folorunsho also held that there was nothing in the charge sheet or accompanying proof of evidence to suggest that the case was politically motivated.
“An appraisal of the charge sheet and the accompanying proof of evidence does not in any way suggest it is a politically motivated action,” the judge ruled.
On the issue of Saraki’s physical presence during the interlocutory proceedings, the court held that, under the relevant provisions of the law, his attendance could be dispensed with until the stage of arraignment.
Describing the defence’s preliminary objection as lacking merit, Justice Folorunsho dismissed the application and adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, for Saraki’s arraignment.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0