A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has scheduled July 22, 2026, for the Bukola Saraki arraignment over alleged defamatory statements said to have been made against Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Justice M.O. Folorunsho ruled on Friday that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the matter, dismissing all preliminary objections raised by the defence.
The Kwara State Government instituted criminal defamation proceedings against former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over statements allegedly published on April 17, 2026, through social media platforms and newspapers.
According to the charge, Saraki allegedly published statements claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq was not educated beyond the secondary school level. The prosecution argued that the statements were insulting, abusive and defamatory, adding that they were deliberately made despite the defendant allegedly knowing they were false. The government further contended that the publication was capable of provoking public disorder and constituted an offence under Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.
Saraki’s legal team, led by Jimoh Mumini (SAN), had challenged the competence of the case through a motion seeking seven reliefs. The defence argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction and questioned the manner in which court processes were served, among other objections. Representing the defence, T.A. Ahmed urged the court to decline jurisdiction, insisting that the matter was not properly before the state High Court.
However, prosecution counsel, Rafiu Balogun, informed the court that the state had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the application on June 11, 2026. He described the objections as lacking merit and asked the court to dismiss them. In his ruling, Justice Folorunsho resolved all seven issues in favour of the prosecution. He held that the alleged offence was properly before the court and affirmed that the court possessed territorial jurisdiction to hear the case. The judge also ruled that the criminal defamation charge remained valid and subsisting.
On the issue of Saraki’s appearance in court, Justice Folorunsho held that Section 227(b) allows the court to dispense with a defendant’s physical presence during interlocutory applications. The court, however, declined the request to postpone the former Senate President’s arraignment, ruling that the application had become academic. Justice Folorunsho further stated that a review of the charge sheet and supporting evidence did not indicate that the prosecution was politically motivated.
“In view of the above, I hold that the objection of the defendant/applicant is without any iota of merit and it is accordingly hereby dismissed,” the judge ruled. The matter was subsequently adjourned until July 22, 2026, when the Bukola Saraki arraignment is expected to take place before the Kwara State High Court.
