The Kwara State High Court has fixed July 22 to arraign former Senate President Bukola Saraki for allegedly making defamatory statements against Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

The charge was filed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman; the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ayoola Idowu Akande; and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B.L. Abdulsalam, on behalf of the people of Kwara State.

According to the charge sheet, Mr Saraki was accused of publishing and sharing a statement on social media platforms, including Facebook and X, and in newspapers on or about April 17, 2026, alleging that Mr Abdulrazaq did not possess secondary school education qualifications.

The government alleged that the statement was false and was intentionally published using insulting, derogatory, and abusive language aimed at provoking the governor and the state government.

Justice M. O. Folorunsho, in a ruling on Friday, dismissed Mr Saraki’s preliminary objection in its entirety after considering the arguments presented by both the defence and prosecution during earlier proceedings.

Mr Folorunsho held that the court possessed the jurisdiction to hear the criminal case before it.

Mr 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 Rafiu Balogun (SAN) and 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.

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

He adjourned the matter until July 22, when Saraki is expected to take his plea after formal 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, Mr Saraki allegedly made defamatory statements against the Kwara 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 Mr Saraki alleged that the governor did not possess a secondary school certificate, which is a constitutional qualification for contesting governorship elections.

(NAN)