Court Refuses Bench Warrant Against Saraki as He Moves to Appeal Gov Abdulrahman’s Free Speech Case
A Kwara State High Court has refused to issue a bench warrant against former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, while he prepares to appeal the court’s decision to hear a criminal case filed by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq over a social media post.
The case came up on Thursday, 3 July 2026, at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, in the absence of Saraki’s lead counsel, Mr. Jimoh Mumini, SAN, who the court was told was indisposed.
Justice M. O. Folorunso declined the prosecution’s request for a bench warrant to compel Saraki’s appearance. The judge also rejected the defence’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction and adjourned the matter to 22 July 2026.
Saraki’s lawyers said jurisdiction is “fundamental to the case” and should be determined before trial proceeds. They have advised the former Senate President to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, and Saraki has mandated his legal team to file the appeal before the next adjourned date.
The charge relates to an April 17, 2026 post by Saraki on Facebook and X, responding to a Kwara State Government statement he said attacked his reputation. The government alleged the post constituted criminal defamation and cyberbullying of Governor Abdulrahman, arguing that questioning the governor’s educational qualification could cause a breakdown of public peace.
The defence maintains the processes were improperly filed, the state high court lacks jurisdiction, and the posts were an exercise of free speech and right of reply.
In a statement by his Press Officer on Local Matters, Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki said he has “confidence in the Nigerian judiciary” and urged supporters to “remain calm and law-abiding”. He added that he would continue to speak on public interest issues “in spite of the machinations by the outgoing Kwara State government to silence him”.
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