An Ilorin-based Kwara High Court has rejected a request by former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki to dismiss a defamation lawsuit against him. Justice M. O. Folorunsho ruled on Friday that the judiciary has the legal authority to proceed with the criminal case.
The defense team, led by Mr. T. A. Hammed on behalf of Jimoh Adebimpe (SAN), had sought to have the charges thrown out by arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction. Conversely, the prosecution, headed by Chief Rafiu Balogun (SAN) and Chief Taye Oniyinde (SAN), maintained that the allegations against Saraki constitute valid criminal offenses.
Justice Folorunsho reviewed 17 points raised by the defense and found none of them compelling. Consequently, the court ordered Saraki to appear for formal arraignment. The charges stem from claims that Saraki posted defamatory comments on social media targeting Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Prosecutors allege that Saraki falsely claimed the governor lacked the mandatory Secondary School Certificate required for office. These remarks were reportedly republished by national media outlets, an action the state argues was intended to damage the governor’s reputation and threaten public order. The court has scheduled the arraignment and plea for July 22, 2026.
