Court Rejects Saraki’s Jurisdiction Challenge, Fixes July 22 for Arraignment

A Kwara State High Court has rejected an application by former Senate President Bukola Saraki challenging its jurisdiction to hear a criminal defamation case brought against him by the state government and fixed July 22 for his arraignment.

Justice M.O. Folorunso, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that the court has the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the matter and dismissed the seven preliminary objections raised by Saraki’s legal team.

The court, however, declined the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant against the former Senate President over his absence at an earlier sitting.

The charge stems from a social media post allegedly published by Saraki on April 17, in which he claimed that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq did not complete his secondary school education.

According to the one-count charge filed by the state government, the publication was false, insulting and capable of causing a breach of public peace, an offence punishable under Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code.

At the previous hearing, the prosecution had sought the issuance of a bench warrant after Saraki failed to appear in court for his arraignment.

His lawyers, however, challenged the competence of the charge, arguing that the Kwara State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. They also questioned the validity of the service of court processes on the former Senate President.

In his ruling, Justice Folorunso dismissed all seven preliminary objections and directed that the matter proceed to arraignment on July 22.

Following the proceedings, Saraki’s media office said his lead counsel, Jimoh Mumini, was unable to attend court because he was indisposed.

The former Senate President also disclosed that he had instructed his legal team to appeal the ruling on jurisdiction before the next adjourned date.

Saraki maintained that the jurisdictional issue should be resolved before the substantive trial begins, expressing confidence in the judiciary and urging his supporters to remain peaceful as the legal process continues.