Court Of Appeal Quashes Kwara Defamation Case Against Saraki, Cites Abuse Of Process

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin has dismissed the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case filed by the Kwara State Government against former Senate President Bukola Saraki, declaring that the charge and evidence produced disclosed no offence committed by him.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi on behalf of Justices Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole and Abdu Dogo, the appellate court held that there was nothing in Saraki’s statement complained of by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq capable of inciting violence or causing a breakdown of law and order.

The judge noted that all evidence and witnesses’ statements supplied in support of the charge did not disclose that Saraki’s statement led to any breach of the peace, but merely showed that those who testified felt dissatisfied with the statement.

“The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Penal Code Law of Kwara State, and the Cybercrime and Cyberbullying law were not enacted for the purpose of protecting individuals against statements that they were uncomfortable with,” the court held.

The court further ruled that while the Attorney-General of a state and that of the federation have wide powers to institute criminal cases, such powers cannot be exercised in a manner prejudicial and oppressive to any individual or in violation of citizens’ fundamental human rights.

Consequently, the court ordered that the case instituted at the Kwara State High Court against Saraki over his allegation that Abdulrazaq did not complete secondary education and that his level of education was affecting his judgment cannot be sustained.

The case arose from a statement Saraki published on April 17, 2026, in which he made the allegations against the governor.

Reacting to the judgment, Saraki said he had once again been vindicated in his belief that nobody, no matter how powerful, can successfully muffle the voice of dissent, particularly when those in government fail in their responsibility to the people.

He expressed gratitude to the judiciary for standing for the truth and defending the cause of justice.

Saraki also described Governor Abdulrazaq’s “oppressive tendencies” as mere inconveniences that will soon blow away, noting that the administration has only seven months left in office.

“If the need arises, I will not hesitate to reiterate my position on the level of education of Governor Abdulrazaq and I will not keep quiet when there are issues of public interest that deserve my comment,” he stated.