Court Rejects Saraki Jurisdiction Objection, Fixes Arraignment
A Kwara State High Court on Friday dismissed former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s objection challenging its authority to hear a criminal defamation case filed by the state government.
The court fixed July 22 for his arraignment after ruling that it has jurisdiction over the matter.
The case followed a social media post allegedly made by Saraki on April 17, claiming that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq did not complete secondary school.
The state government accused him of publishing false information capable of disturbing public peace.
Justice M.O. Folorunso rejected all seven objections raised by the defence and also refused the prosecution’s request to issue a bench warrant over Saraki’s earlier absence from court. The judge ordered that the case move to the arraignment stage.
After the ruling, Saraki’s media office said his lead lawyer was absent because of illness.
The former senate president said he would appeal the decision on jurisdiction before the next hearing and expressed confidence in the judicial process while urging his supporters to remain calm.
