The case of criminalisation of free speech filed by the Governor of Kwara State, Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, against former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, came up on Tuesday at the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin despite the absence of the lead Defence lawyer, Mr. Jimoh Mumini, SAN, who the court was informed had been indisposed.
While the court refused the prosecution’s request that a bench warrant be issued against Dr Saraki, it also rejected the argument of the lawyer to the former Senate President that the Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter and should therefore decline to continue with the case.
Justice M. O. Folorunso adjourned the matter to July 22nd.
However, Dr Saraki’s lawyers have maintained their stance that jurisdiction is fundamental to the case and should be fully determined before the case can proceed.
In line with the position, they have advised Dr Saraki to challenge the decision of the Ilorin High Court at the Court of Appeal since the issue of jurisdiction goes to the root of the matter.
Dr Saraki has subsequently mandated his lawyers to immediately activate the appeal process and ensure the processes are fully filed before the adjourned date fixed by the trial court.
It should be recalled that the matter arose from a social media post circulated on April 17, 2026 by Dr Saraki in response to an earlier press statement by the Kwara State Government which attacked his reputation.
The government claimed that the response via the social media post by Dr Saraki constituted criminal defamation and cyberbullying against the person of Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the state governor.
Mr Abdulrazaq’s main complaint was that by questioning his educational qualification in the social media post, Dr Saraki’s statement was capable of causing a breakdown of public peace in the state.
The government’s lawyers in their argument before Justice M. O. Folorunso during the June 17, 2026 hearing requested a bench warrant and court order to compel Dr Saraki to appear before the court.
However, Dr Saraki’s lawyers contended that the court processes were improperly filed by the prosecution, that the state high court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, and that Dr Saraki’s post on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) being complained of were mere exercise of his freedom of speech and right of reply, as the leader of the opposition to Governor Abdulrazaq’s political party.
At this juncture, Dr Saraki once again reiterates his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary and its ability to do justice to all parties, in all cases and situations. It is the reason why he has mandated his lawyers to always ensure that his position on all issues is strongly defended and justifiably put forward before the court on all matters, including this present case arising from a social media post.
Dr Saraki also restates his appeal to his supporters across Kwara State and beyond to remain calm and law-abiding. The former Senate President will also want to assure all his supporters and members of the public that he will continue to lend his voice to issues of public and national interest, in spite of the machinations by the outgoing Kwara State government to silence him.
Dr Saraki also restated his earlier charge to his supporters that “Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s oppressive tendencies are mere inconveniences that will soon blow away. This is because the administration has only 10 months to stay in office and the tendency that it represents will be totally eradicated in Kwara State by the people”.
*Signed
Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir
Press Officer on Local Matters
Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office
Abuja
