Saraki to appeal Kwara court ruling in defamation case

Bukola Saraki, Nigeria's former Senate President, has instructed his legal team to appeal a decision by the Kwara State High Court that denied his objection to the court's jurisdiction in a criminal defamation and cyberbullying case. The ruling, delivered by Justice M. O. Folorunso, rejected Saraki's argument that the court was not the proper venue to hear the case, although it did not issue a bench warrant for his arrest as sought by the prosecution.

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Dr Saraki has subsequently mandated his lawyers to immediately activate the appeal process and ensure the processes are fully filed before the adjourned date fixed by the trial court.

Saraki's lawyers maintain that the issue of jurisdiction is fundamental and must be settled before the substantive case proceeds. They advised him to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal, emphasizing that jurisdiction affects the core validity of the proceedings. The case originates from a social media post Saraki made on April 17, which the Kwara State Government alleges constitutes criminal defamation and cyberbullying against Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

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jurisdiction goes to the root of the matter.

The state government contends that Saraki's post, which questioned the governor's educational qualifications, could incite public unrest. However, Saraki asserts that his comments were an exercise of his constitutional right to freedom of expression and a legitimate response as an opposition leader. He has expressed confidence in the judiciary and urged his supporters to remain peaceful during the legal process. The case has been adjourned to July 22.

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the former senate president’s lawyers advised him to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal because jurisdiction “goes to the root of the matter.”