The Kwara State Government, led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has initiated legal proceedings against former Senate President Bukola Saraki, accusing him of cyberbullying and defamation. The lawsuit stems from a social media post Saraki made on April 17, 2026, which the governor claims attacked his reputation and constituted both defamation and cyberbullying.
Saraki’s legal team appeared before Justice M. O. Folorunso at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday to defend the former Senate President and two-term governor. The governor’s lawyers argued that by questioning his educational qualifications in the post, Saraki’s statement could potentially disrupt public peace in the state. They requested a bench warrant and a court order to compel Saraki’s appearance in court.
However, Saraki’s lawyers countered that the court processes were improperly filed and that the high court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. They maintained that Saraki’s post on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) was a legitimate exercise of his freedom of speech and right to reply as the leader of the opposition to the governor’s political party. After hearing both sides, the court adjourned the matter to July 3, 2026, for a ruling on the applications.
In a statement through Abdulganiyu Abdulqadir, Saraki urged his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. He expressed confidence that the oppressive tactics meant to intimidate and silence him would fail, vowing to continue speaking on matters of public interest. He reminded his supporters that the current administration has only 11 months left in office, describing the legal action as a temporary inconvenience.