Court Fixes July 22 For Saraki’s Arraignment In Kwara Defamation Case

A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin has fixed July 22, 2026, for the arraignment of former Senate President Bukola Saraki in a criminal defamation case linked to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The case is a new stage in a dispute NaijaTrend earlier reported here, when the Kwara government filed the charge.

Vanguard reported that Justice M.O. Folorunsho ruled on Friday that the alleged offence is triable by the court and that the court has territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The state government alleges that Saraki published statements on April 17, 2026, claiming that AbdulRazaq was not educated up to secondary school level. The charge says the statements were insulting, derogatory and likely to cause a breakdown of public peace.

Premium Times reported that Saraki has directed his lawyers to appeal the ruling after the court rejected his objection to jurisdiction. The same report said the court declined a prosecution request for a bench warrant against him.

The case was adjourned until July 22.

Sources: Vanguard, Premium Times