ILORIN, Nigeria — The ongoing legal and political confrontation between former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State Government escalated on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as the state government pursued criminal defamation charges against the opposition leader.
The Defamation Allegations
The suit, filed before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, stems from social media posts made by Saraki on April 17, 2026, across Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). In these posts, Saraki questioned the educational qualifications of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The state government, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim, alleges that Saraki’s statements were:
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False and Malicious: Intended to bring the Governor and the state administration into disrepute.
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Provocative: Containing insulting expressions capable of inciting public unrest, in violation of Section 399 of the Penal Code.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, the prosecution requested a bench warrant for Saraki’s arrest, citing his absence in court despite service of process. However, Saraki’s legal team, led by Jimoh Mumini (SAN), contested the court's jurisdiction and the validity of the service, successfully securing an adjournment until July 3, 2026.
Saraki’s Defense: A "Diversionary Tactic"
In a statement issued by his media office, Saraki rejected the charges, framing the legal action as part of a recurring pattern of "harassment and intimidation" against opposition leaders in Kwara State.
"We believe that, like his earlier efforts to abuse the judicial process to silence the opposition, this case will fall like a pack of badly arranged cards," the statement read. Saraki’s camp argued that his social media comments were a "legitimate exercise of freedom of expression and a right of reply" as the leader of the opposition.
The statement further accused the AbdulRazaq administration of prioritizing the defamation suit over critical governance issues, specifically highlighting:
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Insecurity: Alleged that kidnapping and banditry have turned parts of the state into "a den of criminals."
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Hostage Situation: Pointing to the ongoing captivity of 176 people from the Woro community, who have been missing since February.
Growing Legal Pressure
This defamation suit represents the latest chapter in a series of legal battles between the two political heavyweights. On April 9, 2026, the Kwara State Government filed a separate 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and two others, linking them to the arming of suspects involved in the 2018 Offa robbery attacks.
Saraki has consistently denied all criminal allegations, describing them as politically motivated and noting that previous investigations by federal authorities had cleared his name. As the legal wrangling continues, the former Senate President has urged his supporters to remain calm, expressing continued confidence in the Nigerian judiciary.
