Court Orders Arraignment of Saraki in Alleged Defamation Case

A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has rejected a preliminary objection brought by former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and directed that he be formally charged and arraigned.

Justice M. O. Folorunsho delivered the ruling on Friday, holding that the court possessed the jurisdiction to hear the criminal case.

The judge dismissed the defendant’s preliminary objection in its entirety after considering the arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution during earlier proceedings.

Saraki’s counsel, Jimoh Adebimpe (SAN), represented by T. A. Hammed, had urged the court to decline jurisdiction and strike out the charge.

The defence argued that the court lacked the legal authority to entertain the matter and requested that the criminal proceedings be terminated at that stage.

However, the prosecution, led by Chief Rafiu Balogun (SAN) and Chief Taye Oniyinde (SAN), insisted that the court was competent to hear the case.

The prosecution prayed the court to dismiss the preliminary objection, maintaining that the charge disclosed offences recognised under the applicable criminal laws.

In his ruling, Justice Folorunsho resolved all 17 issues raised by the defendant against him and found no merit in the application.

“The preliminary objection lacks merit,” the judge ruled, dismissing all the grounds advanced by the defence against the criminal proceedings.

He consequently directed that the case should proceed on its merits and ordered Saraki to appear before the court for arraignment.

The criminal charge borders on the alleged publication of insulting and derogatory remarks considered capable of causing a breach of public peace.

According to the prosecution, Saraki allegedly made defamatory statements against the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, through his verified social media platforms.

The prosecution further alleged that the statements were subsequently published by some national newspapers, thereby giving the allegations wider public circulation.

Prosecutors claimed Saraki alleged that the governor did not possess a Secondary School Certificate, which is a constitutional qualification for contesting governorship elections.

The prosecution contended that the alleged publication was defamatory and capable of damaging the governor’s reputation while provoking public unrest.

Following the ruling, the court adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, when Saraki is expected to take his plea after a formal arraignment.