Defamation Suit : Saraki To Appeal High Court’s Decision On Jurisdiction

The defamation suit filed by the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq against former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki came up on Friday at the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

While the court refused the prosecution’s request that a bench warrant be issued against Saraki, it also rejected the argument of the lawyer to the former Senate President that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter and should therefore decline to continue with the case.

Justice M. O. Folorunso later adjourned the matter to July 22, 2026.

However, Saraki’s lawyers have maintained their stance that jurisdiction is fundamental to the case and should be fully determined before the case can proceed.

In line with the position, Saraki ‘s lawyers have advised him to challenge the decision of the Ilorin High Court at the Court of Appeal since the issue of jurisdiction goes to the root of the matter.

Saraki according to his media aide, Abdulganiyu Abdulquadir, has subsequently mandated his lawyers to immediately activate the appeal process and ensure the processes are fully filed before the adjourned date fixed by the trial court.

It should be recalled that the matter arose from a social media post circulated on April 17, 2026 by Saraki in response to an earlier press statement by the Kwara State Government which allegedly attacked his reputation.

The government claimed that the response via the social media post by Saraki constituted criminal defamation and cyberbullying against the person of Governor AbdulRazaq.

The government’s lawyers in their argument before Justice M. O. Folorunso during the June 17, 2026 hearing requested a bench warrant and court order to compel Saraki to appear before the court.

However, Saraki’s lawyers contended that the court processes were improperly filed by the prosecution, that the state High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, and that Saraki’s post on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) being complained of were mere exercise of his freedom of speech and right of reply, as the leader of the opposition to Governor AbdulRazaq’s political party.

Ends