Kwara govt drags Saraki to court over alleged cyber bullying, defamation

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has been dragged to court over alleged cyberbullying and defamation by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State.

Abdulrazaq had alleged that Dr Saraki through his social media post of April 17, 2026, in response to an earlier press statement by the Kwara State government, attacked his reputation and constituted defamation and cyberbullying against him.

A strong team of lawyers to the former Senate President, Saraki, on Wednesday, appeared before the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, to defend the former Senate President and two-term governor of the state.

GoverAbdulrazaq’s main complaint was that “by questioning his educational qualifications in the social media post, Dr Saraki’s statement was capable of causing a breakdown of public peace in the state.”

The governor’s lawyers in their argument before Justice M. O. Folorunso, requested a bench warrant and court order to compel Dr Saraki to appear before the court.

However, Dr Saraki’s lawyers contended that the court process were improperly filed by the prosecution, adding that the high court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, the essence of which goes to the root of the entire case, and that Dr Saraki’s post on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) being complained of were mere exercise of his freedom of speech and right of reply, as the leader of the opposition to Governor Abdulrazaq’s political party.

After listening to both sides, the court adjourned the matter to July 3rd, 2026 for its ruling on the applications by both parties.

Meanwhile, Dr Saraki, in a statement by Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, has appealed to his supporters across the state and beyond to remain calm and law-abiding. 

The former Senate President assured all his supporters and members of the public that all the oppressive tactics aimed at intimidating and silencing him will come to nought, as he vowed not to keep quiet when there are issues of public interest that deserve his comment.

Dr Saraki reminded his supporters that the oppressive tendencies are mere inconveniences that would soon be blown away as the current administration has only 11 months to stay in office.