The Kwara State High Court has dismissed an application seeking a bench warrant to arrest and remand investigative journalist Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed, publisher of Afrika Eyes, along with activists Comrade Saliu Bolakale and Saidu Musa, over allegations of defamation and injurious falsehood.

The trio is being prosecuted following their public condemnation of a violent attack on peaceful protesters in Ilorin.

Drama ensued during Wednesday’s proceedings when the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ayoola Idowu Akande, urged the court to issue a bench warrant, insisting that the defendants had been properly served and had deliberately failed to appear.

However, the court observed that the charge purportedly served on the defendants contained no court name, no suit number, and no hearing date—a fatal procedural defect that made proper service impossible.

Defense counsel Taofiq Olateju, who happened to be in court on another matter, announced his appearance and countered the DPP’s claims. He argued that the prosecution’s application amounted to an attempt to ambush the defendants and unlawfully keep them in custody.

“What they received was a charge bearing no date and not even identifying the court. Seeking a bench warrant under such circumstances would lead to a miscarriage of justice,” Olateju told the court.

In delivering his ruling, the judge held that there was no legal basis to expect the defendants to appear since the prosecution failed to issue a valid charge. Consequently, the court ruled that the prosecution had not proven that proper service was effected and refused the request for a bench warrant.

Following the ruling, even the DPP conceded that the court’s decision was just, stating: “This is justice.”

The case was adjourned to February 5, 2026, for proper arraignment.

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Background: Magistrate Court Earlier Struck Out Related Case

This development comes after the Kwara State Magistrate Court in Ilorin struck out a similar charge against Ahmed, Bolakale, and Musa on October 13, 2025, citing lack of jurisdiction.

The state government had been accused of abusing court processes by attempting to run the same case simultaneously in both the Magistrate and High Courts.

Prosecutor Supo Mathew had asked Magistrate Jimada for an adjournment, even though the court lacked authority to hear the matter. Defense counsel Olateju opposed the move, calling it an attempt to intimidate the defendants and waste taxpayers’ money through duplicated charges.

Magistrate Jimada agreed, ruling that since the case had already been filed at the High Court, the Magistrate Court could no longer hear it, and subsequently struck it out.

After the ruling, Olateju praised the court for resisting political pressure and upholding justice, describing the decision as a victory for press freedom and the rule of law.

He urged the Kwara State Government to stop using state resources to persecute journalists and activists with dissenting opinions.

“We appreciate the court’s uprightness and pray God strengthens Magistrate Jimada for allowing justice to prevail,” Olateju said.