The Kwara State Government has filed a criminal defamation suit against former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, accusing him of making false and defamatory claims about the educational qualifications of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The case, instituted before the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, is being prosecuted by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim, alongside the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ayoola Akande, and Assistant Chief State Counsel, B.L. Abdulsalam.

The matter came up on Wednesday before Justice M.O. Folorunso.

According to court documents, the state government alleged that Saraki, on April 17, 2026, published and circulated statements through social media and newspaper platforms claiming that Governor AbdulRazaq did not attain secondary school education.

The prosecution argued that the publication was false, malicious and intended to bring the governor and the Kwara State Government into public disrepute.

It further alleged that the statements contained insulting and abusive expressions capable of provoking public unrest and disturbing public peace, contrary to Section 399 of the Penal Code, Cap. P4, Laws of Kwara State, 2006.

During proceedings, prosecuting counsel, R.O. Balogun, urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear in court despite allegedly being served with the court processes.

“The defendant was duly served but failed to appear before the court. We, therefore, urge Your Lordship to issue a bench warrant to compel his attendance,” Balogun submitted.

He also opposed an application for adjournment filed by the defence, insisting that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the matter.

However, counsel to the former Senate President, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), challenged both the jurisdiction of the court and the validity of the service of the court processes on his client.

“This matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. In addition, the defendant was not properly served with the processes relied upon by the prosecution,” Mumini argued.

After hearing arguments from both parties and standing down the matter for about two hours, Justice Folorunso declined the request for a bench warrant, holding that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until July 3, 2026, for the hearing of the preliminary objection and possible arraignment.

The latest suit further deepens the legal confrontation between the AbdulRazaq administration and the former Senate President.

Earlier on April 9, the Kwara State Government filed a separate 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Chief of Staff Yusuf Abdulwahab, and Alabi Olalekan, over allegations linked to the alleged arming of suspects convicted in connection with the 2018 Offa robbery attacks.

Saraki had denied any involvement in the case, insisting that previous investigations by both the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation cleared him of any wrongdoing.

“I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter,” Saraki said in a statement he personally signed.

He described the earlier prosecution as politically motivated.

Reacting to the latest suit on Wednesday, Saraki, through a statement issued by his media office, confirmed that his legal team, led by Jimoh Mumini (SAN), appeared before the Kwara State High Court to challenge the criminal charges filed over his April 17 social media post.

According to the statement signed by the Press Officer on Local Matters, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, Abdulkadir Abdulganiy, the former Senate President’s lawyers argued that the Facebook and X posts in question were legitimate exercises of his constitutional right to freedom of expression and constituted a response to an earlier statement by the state government.

“Dr Saraki’s post on Facebook and X being complained of were mere exercises of his freedom of speech and right of reply, as the leader of the opposition to Governor AbdulRazaq’s political party,” the statement said.

The media office questioned how the social media posts could amount to criminal defamation and cyberbullying against the governor.

It further accused the AbdulRazaq administration of repeatedly using the courts to intimidate opposition figures.

“We note that 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.

“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 also criticised the state government for focusing on the court case instead of tackling insecurity.

According to the media office, communities in two of Kwara’s three senatorial districts are facing increasing incidents of kidnapping, banditry and insurgency, while more than 170 residents of Woro community, allegedly abducted since February, remain in captivity.

It also alleged that government officials mobilised supporters and the media to the court premises instead of deploying such resources to address security challenges.

Despite the legal battle, Saraki expressed confidence in the judiciary.

“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 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.”

The former Senate President also urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, expressing confidence that what he described as attempts to intimidate and silence him would ultimately fail.