‘Another Diversionary Tactic’ – Saraki Reacts To Kwara Govt Defamation Charges Against Him

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has accused the Kwara State Government of attempting to harass and intimidate him through a defamation suit filed against him.

NEWSNGR understands that Saraki’s legal team, led by Mr Jimoh Mumini (SAN) appeared before the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on Wednesday to defend him in the case.

The suit arose from a social media post reportedly made by Saraki on April 17, 2026, in response to an earlier statement by the Kwara State Government, which he claimed attacked his reputation.

The state government alleged that the post amounted to criminal defamation and cyberbullying against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

During the proceedings before Justice M. O. Folorunso, lawyers representing the Kwara State Government asked the court to issue a bench warrant against Saraki.

They also requested an order compelling the former Senate President to appear before the court.

However, Saraki’s lawyers opposed the application, arguing that the prosecution had improperly filed the court processes.

They also challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the matter, insisting that the objection went to the root of the entire case.

According to the defence team, Saraki’s posts on Facebook and X were merely an exercise of his constitutional right to freedom of speech and right of reply as an opposition leader in the state.

After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Folorunso adjourned the matter till July 3, 2026, for ruling on the pending applications.

Reacting to the charges, Saraki’s press officer on local matters, Abdulkadir Abdulganiyu, accused Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration of using the courts to target opposition figures.

He described the case as part of a pattern by the state government to silence critics whenever they comment on policies and actions of the administration.

Abdulganiyu said, “It is a recurring decimal for the Kwara governor to seek to use the courts to harass and intimidate the leaders of opposition in the state any time they make any comment against the policies and actions of his administration.”

He questioned the priority given to the alleged defamatory post, saying the government should be more concerned about insecurity in the state.

“We note that the Kwara State Government believes the alleged defamatory social media post deserves more attention than the issue of acute insecurity plaguing the state, in which two of the three senatorial districts in the state have become a den of kidnappers, bandits, and insurgents,” he said.

‘176 Abducted Residents Still In Captivity’

Saraki’s aide further alleged that the state government had failed to give adequate attention to the case of 176 people reportedly abducted from Woro community in the northern part of the state.

He said the victims had allegedly remained in captivity since early February, yet the government was focusing on a social media post considered unpleasant by the governor’s handlers.

“Also, the case of 176 people kidnapped from the Woro community in the northern part of the state who have been in captivity since early February is taking a back seat behind the issue of a social media post, which the governor’s handlers believed was unpleasant to him,” Abdulganiyu added.

He also accused the government and its supporters of mobilising people and the media to the court premises.

According to him, the resources and energy deployed for the court appearance could have been directed toward securing the release of kidnapped victims across the state.

“We have mentioned these more sensitive alternatives that require the attention of Governor AbdulRazaq and his government instead of dissipating resources on the impact of words exchanged with the opposition leader in the state to demonstrate that the court case is just another diversionary tactic,” he said.

Abdulganiyu said Saraki remained confident in the Nigerian judiciary and its ability to dispense justice fairly to all parties.

He said the former Senate President’s lawyers would continue to defend his position before the court.

“Dr Saraki continues to retain his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary and its ability to do justice to all parties, in all cases and situations. That is why his lawyers will also continue to defend his position and strongly put forward his case before the court on all matters, including this case arising from a social media post,” he said.

Saraki also appealed to his supporters in Kwara State and beyond to remain calm and law-abiding.

His aide said the former governor would not be intimidated or silenced by what he described as oppressive tactics.

“He will not keep quiet when there are issues of public interest that deserve his comment,” Abdulganiyu added.

The court is expected to rule on the applications filed by both parties on July 3.