Former Senate President Bukola Saraki moves to the Court of Appeal after the Kwara High Court dismissed his objection to its jurisdiction in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s criminal defamation suit

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the jurisdiction of the Kwara State High Court in the criminal defamation case filed against him by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Also read: Saraki condemns Oyo kidnappings, calls for urgent action

Saraki’s decision followed Friday’s ruling by Justice M.O. Folorunso of the High Court sitting in Ilorin, which dismissed his preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case until July 22, 2026, for further proceedings.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, the former Senate President said his legal team had advised him to immediately appeal the ruling, maintaining that the question of jurisdiction must be resolved before the substantive case proceeds.

“The lawyers have maintained their stance that jurisdiction is fundamental to the case and should be fully determined before the matter can proceed.

In line with this position, they have advised Dr Saraki to challenge the decision of the Ilorin High Court at the Court of Appeal,” the statement read.

According to the statement, Saraki has directed his lawyers to file the appeal before the next hearing.

“He has 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 added.

The statement also disclosed that the prosecution had applied for the issuance of a bench warrant against Saraki during Friday’s proceedings.

However, the court declined the request after being informed that his lead counsel, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), was indisposed and unable to attend the sitting.

The criminal charge stems from a social media post Saraki published on April 17, 2026, in response to an earlier statement issued by the Kwara State Government.

The state government alleged that the post amounted to criminal defamation and cyberbullying against Governor AbdulRazaq, particularly over comments questioning the governor’s educational qualifications.

According to the prosecution, the remarks were capable of causing a breach of public peace.

Saraki’s legal team has, however, challenged the competence of the prosecution’s processes and argued that the High Court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The defence also contended that the social media post constituted an exercise of Saraki’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression and his right to respond to issues raised by the state government in his capacity as an opposition political leader.

The former Senate President expressed confidence in the judicial process, saying he believed the courts would adjudicate the matter fairly and impartially.

He also urged his supporters in Kwara State and across the country to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the legal proceedings continue.

Saraki maintained that he would continue to comment on matters of public interest despite what he described as attempts by the state government to silence him through legal action.

The case has attracted significant political attention in Kwara State, where Saraki and Governor AbdulRazaq have remained leading figures in opposing political camps.

Also read: Saraki admits PDP turmoil, vows opposition will regroup after Tinubu’s Democracy Day swipe

The appeal is expected to determine whether the High Court has the legal authority to continue hearing the criminal defamation case before the substantive issues are addressed.