By Ahmed Akanbi
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has rejected the Kwara State Government’s defamation suit against him, accusing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration of using the courts to harass opposition voices.
Saraki spoke through his Press Officer on Local Matters, AbdulKadir AbdulGaniyu, following proceedings at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday.
AbdulGaniyu described the suit as part of a pattern by the state government to target critics of its policies.
“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 said.
The spokesman also faulted the government’s priorities, arguing that the suit over a social media post overlooks more urgent issues.
“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,” Abdulganiyu added.
Despite the protest, Saraki said he remains confident 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 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 stated.
Saraki’s counsel, led by Mr. Jimoh Mumini, SAN, appeared before Justice M. O. Folorunso to defend the former Senate President over a Facebook and X, formerly Twitter, post circulated on April 17, 2026.
The defence argued that the posts were an exercise of Saraki’s freedom of speech and right of reply as leader of the opposition to the governor’s party.
Government lawyers, however, sought a bench warrant and a court order compelling Saraki’s appearance.
After hearing both sides, Justice Folorunso adjourned the matter to July 3, 2026 for ruling on the applications of both parties.