By Rukevwe odeh

The political disagreement between former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the administration of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has intensified following the filing of a criminal defamation suit by the Kwara State Government.

The case, instituted before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, stems from allegations that Saraki made public statements questioning the educational qualifications of Governor AbdulRazaq. According to the state government, the former Senate President allegedly circulated comments through social media platforms and newspaper publications suggesting that the governor did not complete his secondary school education.

State prosecutors contend that the statements were false, malicious, and damaging to the governor’s reputation. The government further argues that the remarks were capable of provoking public unrest and undermining public confidence in the state’s leadership. The charge was filed under Section 399 of the Kwara State Penal Code, which criminalizes acts of defamation deemed likely to disturb public peace.

During proceedings before Justice Mohammed Folorunso, prosecution counsel Rafiu Balogun requested that the court issue a bench warrant against Saraki, claiming he failed to appear in court despite allegedly being served with the necessary legal documents. The prosecution maintained that the defendant’s presence was essential for the scheduled arraignment and urged the court to proceed accordingly.

However, Saraki’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jimoh Mumini, challenged the competence of the case. The defence argued that the Kwara State High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter, insisting that the dispute should instead be heard by the Federal High Court. Counsel also questioned whether proper service of court documents had been effected on the former Senate President.

Following arguments from both parties and a brief recess, the court declined the request for a bench warrant and ruled that the defendant was entitled to seek an adjournment. Justice Folorunso subsequently fixed July 3, 2026, for the hearing of preliminary objections regarding jurisdiction and for the possible arraignment of Saraki.

Political analysts view the case as another chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Saraki’s political camp and the AbdulRazaq administration. The legal battle is expected to attract significant public and political attention, particularly as stakeholders monitor its potential implications for the political landscape in Kwara State ahead of future electoral contests.

As the matter returns to court in July, attention will focus on the judge’s determination of the jurisdictional issues raised by the defence, a decision that could shape the future direction of the case and influence the broader political discourse within the state.

By Divine Perezide

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal seeking to halt the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of electoral wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

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The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Friday, May 15, 2026, held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1457/2025, was filed by Hon. Appearance Afejuku, identified as Youth President of the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, alongside three others against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other respondents.

A three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam upheld the July 1, 2025 judgment of Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which dismissed the suit challenging INEC’s implementation of the Supreme Court judgment in suit number SC/413/2016: Hon. George U. Timinimi & 9 Ors v. INEC.

The lower court had described the suit as an abuse of court process and awarded a cost of ₦4 million against the plaintiffs.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal maintained that the issue surrounding the delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency had already been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court and could not be reopened through fresh litigation.

The judgment is widely seen as a major legal victory for INEC and supporters of the delineation exercise, as it effectively clears the electoral body to proceed with the fresh ward and polling unit delineation ahead of future elections in the area.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the Federal High Court sitting in Warri also dismissed suit number FHC/WR/CS/37/2025 filed by Ejeyi Philip and others seeking to nullify INEC’s interim report on the fresh delineation released on May 3, 2025.

The plaintiffs had argued that the Itsekiri people were not adequately consulted before the exercise was carried out.

However, the court held that the Supreme Court judgment did not mandate INEC to conduct consultations with the Itsekiri ethnic nationality before implementing the delineation exercise.

The court further ruled that the suit was premature since the interim report issued by INEC remained a proposal subject to further administrative processes.

The latest judicial pronouncements are expected to shape the political landscape within the Warri Federal Constituency, where the delineation exercise has generated intense political and ethnic debates among stakeholders.