Kwara High Court Sets July 22 Arraignment for Saraki

A Kwara State High Court has cleared the way for the arraignment of former Senate President Bukola Saraki on a criminal defamation charge, dismissing his challenge to the court's jurisdiction. The court set July 22 for Saraki to formally enter a plea.

Justice M.O. Folorunso delivered the ruling on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the High Court in Ilorin. The judge held that the court possesses the territorial jurisdiction to hear the case and dismissed all preliminary objections raised by Saraki's defense team. The judge also declined a prosecution application for a bench warrant against Saraki due to his absence from the hearing.

The charge, filed by the Kwara State Government, stems from a social media post published by Saraki on April 17, 2026. The prosecution alleges the post contained false and insulting claims that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq did not complete secondary school. The state contends the publication was capable of causing a breach of public peace, an offense punishable under Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code.

During the proceedings, Saraki's lead counsel, Jimoh Mumini, represented by T.A. Ahmed, argued the court lacked jurisdiction and questioned the...