“Jurisdiction Challenged, Bench Warrant Refused” — Kwara Court Fixes July 3 For Saraki’s Preliminary Objection, Possible Arraignment In Defamation Case

The Kwara State High Court has fixed July 3, 2026, for the hearing of a preliminary objection and possible arraignment of former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in a criminal defamation case filed against him by the Kwara State Government.

The case was instituted over comments Saraki allegedly made against the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The charge was filed by the Kwara State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Idowu Akande, and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B. L. Abdulsalam.

According to the charge sheet, Saraki allegedly published and circulated a statement on April 17, 2026, through social media platforms, including Facebook and X, as well as newspapers, claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq lacked the required secondary school educational qualification.

The state government described the statement as false and deliberately framed in insulting, abusive and derogatory language capable of provoking the governor and the government.

Prosecutors alleged that the publication was likely to disturb public peace, contrary to Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, R. O. Balogun, urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear for arraignment.

Balogun argued that the former Senate President was aware of the proceedings, noting that his legal representative was present in court.

“The defendant’s counsel is in court appearing for him and he should be here. We are the prosecution and should be allowed to proceed. There is no valid reason given for his absence. We therefore pray the court to issue a bench warrant against him in line with Section 138,” he submitted.

However, Saraki’s counsel, Jimoh Mumini, SAN, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the matter ought to be heard by the Federal High Court and not the Kwara State High Court.

He also disputed the service of the charge on Saraki, insisting that his client had not been properly served with court processes.

After a two-hour recess to consider the arguments of both sides, Justice M. O. Folorunso held that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment.

The judge consequently adjourned the matter to July 3 for the hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment of Saraki.

The case comes amid heightened political tension in Kwara State, following the state government’s decision to revisit issues surrounding the 2018 Offa robbery case.

Saraki had earlier accused the state government of pursuing a political agenda through the revival of issues connected to the robbery case, insisting that previous federal legal advice found no evidence linking him to the crime.

The July 3 proceedings are expected to determine whether the Kwara State High Court will assume jurisdiction over the defamation charge and whether Saraki will be arraigned before the court.

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