Saraki Protests As Kwara Presses Defamation Charges Against Him

Former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has accused the Kwara State Government of harassing him following a defamation suit filed against him by the government.

Saraki’s lawyers, led by Mr Jimoh Mumini (SAN), yesterday appeared before the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin to defend him over allegations that his social media post circulated on 17 April 2026, in response to an earlier press statement by the Kwara State Government which attacked his reputation, constitutes criminal defamation and cyberbullying against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The government’s lawyers, in their argument before Justice M. O. Folorunso, requested a bench warrant and a court order compelling Saraki to appear before the court.

However, Saraki’s lawyers contended that the prosecution improperly filed the court process, arguing that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, the essence of which goes to the root of the entire case.

They argued that Saraki’s posts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) were mere exercises of his freedom of speech and right of reply as the leader of the opposition to Governor AbdulRazaq’s political party.

After hearing both sides, the court adjourned the matter to 3 July 2026 to give its ruling on the applications of both parties.

Reacting to the charges filed against Saraki, his press officer on local matters, Abdulkadir Abdulganiyu, said that “it is a recurring decimal for the Kwara governor to seek to use the courts to harass and intimidate the leaders of opposition in the state any time they make any comment against the policies and actions of his administration.”

“We note that the Kwara State Government believes the alleged defamatory social media post deserves more attention than the issue of acute insecurity plaguing the state, in which two of the three senatorial districts in the state have become a den of kidnappers, bandits, and insurgents.

“Also, the case of 176 people kidnapped from the Woro community in the northern part of the state who have been in captivity since early February is taking a back seat behind the issue of a social media post, which the governor’s handlers believed was unpleasant to him.”

He pointed out that the governor and his handlers had mobilised the media and their supporters to the court premises, adding that the energy and resources deployed to achieve that could have been better utilised as part of the resources to secure the release of the captives in kidnappers’ dens across the state.

“We have mentioned these more sensitive alternatives that require the attention of Governor AbdulRazaq and his government instead of dissipating resources on the impact of words exchanged with the opposition leader in the state to demonstrate that the court case is just another diversionary tactic.”

“Dr Saraki continues to retain his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary and its ability to do justice to all parties, in all cases and situations. That is why his lawyers will also continue to defend his position and strongly put forward his case before the court on all matters, including this case arising from a social media post.”

Dr Saraki asked his supporters across the state and beyond to remain calm and law-abiding, saying that all the oppressive tactics aimed at intimidating and silencing him will come to nought.

“He will not keep quiet when there are issues of public interest that deserve his comment,” Abdulganiyu added.