Uncategorized
Alleged Defamation: Saraki Heads To Appeal Court over State High Court Jurisdiction
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has directed his legal team to challenge the ruling of the Kwara State High Court on the issue of jurisdiction in the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case instituted against him by the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The decision followed Friday’s proceedings before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, where Justice M. O. Folorunso declined the defence’s objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter and adjourned the case until July 22.
The court session had proceeded despite the absence of Saraki’s lead counsel, Jimoh Mumini (SAN), who was said to be indisposed.
Although the prosecution urged the court to issue a bench warrant against the former Senate President, the request was rejected by the court.
Saraki’s legal team, however, insisted that the issue of jurisdiction is fundamental and must be resolved before any substantive hearing can continue.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Press Officer on Local Matters in the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, the former Senate President has instructed his lawyers to immediately approach the Court of Appeal.
“Dr Saraki’s lawyers have maintained their stance that jurisdiction is fundamental to the case and should be fully determined before the case can proceed,” the statement said.
The statement added: “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.”
It would be recalled that the suit stemmed from a social media post made by Saraki on April 17, 2026, in response to an earlier statement issued by the Kwara State Government. The state government alleged that the post, published on Facebook and X, amounted to criminal defamation and cyberbullying against Governor AbdulRazaq.
According to the government, Saraki’s remarks questioning the governor’s educational qualification were capable of causing a breakdown of public peace in the state.
However, Saraki’s lawyers argued that the processes filed by the prosecution were defective and that the Kwara State High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the matter. They also maintained that the social media post was a legitimate exercise of the former Senate President’s constitutional right to freedom of expression and his right of reply as a leading opposition figure.
Reaffirming his confidence in the judiciary, Saraki said he remains committed to pursuing all legal avenues available to defend his position.
“Dr Saraki once again reiterates his confidence in the Nigerian judiciary and its ability to do justice to all parties, in all cases and situations,” the statement noted.
It added that he had directed his legal team “to always ensure that his position on all issues is strongly defended and justifiably put forward before the court on all matters, including this present case arising from a social media post.”
Saraki also appealed to his supporters across Kwara State and beyond to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the legal proceedings.
He further assured them that he would continue to speak on issues affecting the public and the nation despite what he described as attempts by the state government to silence him.
According to the statement, “The former Senate President will also want to assure all his supporters and members of the public that he will continue to lend his voice to issues of public and national interest, in spite of the machinations by the outgoing Kwara State government to silence him.”
Saraki also repeated his earlier criticism of the AbdulRazaq administration, saying, “Mr Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s oppressive tendencies are mere inconveniences that will soon blow away. This is because the administration has only 10 months to stay in office and the tendency that it represents will be totally eradicated in Kwara State by the people.
Uncategorized
Kwara: Security Team Kills Two Bandits, Rescues Two Kidnap Victims
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A security team, comprising operatives of DSS and forest guards, has rescued two victims of abduction in a forest between Oba Isin/Owa Onire area of isin and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
The rescued victims are 16-year-old Fatima Azeez and Ibrahim Azeez who is five-year old.
The team also eliminated two armed bandits, while others escaped with severe injuries as the security forces stormed their hideouts, according to a report by DSS and local authorities.
The security team also recovered several items from the kidnappers, including one Ak-47 rifle; one single barrel; one fully loaded magazine with nine empty; mini-solar panel; and food items.
The rescue operation is connected to the multi-agency counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping efforts of the government.
Uncategorized
Kwara: Police Launch Investigations Into Killing Of Farmer On Farmland
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Police Command has commenced full-scale investigations into the killing of a farmer, Mr Azeez Garba, whose body was discovered on his farmland along the Owa-Onire axis, the boundary between Isanlu-Isin and Owu-Isin in Isin Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, described the murder as “cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those behind the attack.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased left home for his farm in the morning but did not return, prompting his family members and local vigilantes to organise a search.
The search party reportedly found his motorcycle parked on the farmland before discovering his lifeless body a short distance away. Police said the victim had sustained deep machete cuts.
Reacting to the incident, CP Adekimi ordered investigators to deploy all available intelligence and investigative resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“The killing is cruel, senseless and unacceptable,” the commissioner of Police said, assuring residents that the command would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Although no suspect had been arrested as of Monday, the command said all available leads were being diligently pursued.
The police also assured the bereaved family, the people of Isin Local Government Area and the general public that investigators were working tirelessly to track down everyone connected with the crime.
“The Kwara State Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and will not relent until every person responsible for this reprehensible act is brought before the law,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
Uncategorized
Kwara: Joint Security Team Arrests Alleged Cultist, Recovers Firearm
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A coordinated security operation involving the Kwara State Police Command, other security agencies and the Kwara State Polytechnic Security Unit has led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Agboola Olamilekan, with a locally fabricated pistol recovered from him in Ilorin.
The operation, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state, was described by the police as another breakthrough in intelligence-driven policing aimed at dismantling criminal networks and reducing the circulation of illegal firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the suspect was apprehended during the joint operation while in possession of the firearm.
According to the statement, the operation is part of the Command’s sustained strategy to disrupt cult-related activities and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the state.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ojo Adekimi, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to intensify the fight against cultism and other violent crimes.
“Every successful operation represents another step towards dismantling criminal networks and enhancing public safety across the state through proactive and intelligence-led policing,” the commissioner said.
The police disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the criminal network linked to the suspect.
The Command added that it remains committed to advancing the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, through intelligence-led policing, strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders and sustained operations aimed at ensuring that those responsible for threatening the peace and security of Kwara State are brought to justice.
-
Uncategorized5 years agoFG, states urged to harness flooding for ranching, others with technology – Agbaje
-
Headlines10 years agoBreaking: EFCC seals Borno House of Assembly, as Hon members take to their heels
-
News12 years agoNigeria Security Operatives Stage Manhunt For Homosexual Perpetrator
-
News9 years agoHow 21-year-old Girl fled community over accusation of lesbianism
-
News10 years agoYobe Gov Moves Against Deputy
-
Opinion7 years ago7 signs she has friend zoned you
-
Technology5 years ago
Online job placement company headhunts women
-
Headlines10 years agoBorno Dep Gov Abducts Another Church Leader
