Sh*cking Twist: Legal Review Finds No Link Between Saraki And Offa Robbery

Two separate legal opinions issued in 2018 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) found no evidence linking former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to the deadly Offa robbery incident in Kwara State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The legal advisories, dated June 22 and August 23, 2018, were signed by the then Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed U.E., on behalf of the Attorney-General at the time, Abubakar Malami.

The April 5, 2018 attack involved armed men who stormed several banks and a police station in Offa, killing 33 people, including a pregnant woman and 12 police officers.

Following the incident, police arrested several suspects, including alleged gang leader Ayoade Akinnibosun, while another suspect, Michael Adikwu, died while in custody.

In the aftermath, Saraki was invited for questioning after claims that Akinnibosun alleged the group acted as political thugs for him. It was also alleged that the gang received vehicles and financial support through an aide linked to former Kwara State governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

However, Akinnibosun reportedly told journalists that although the group had previously worked for Saraki, the former Senate President was not aware of the robbery operation.

In its initial legal opinion to the Inspector-General of Police, the OAGF stated that it could not establish any connection between Saraki and the crime, noting that available evidence did not show a link between him and the suspects.

The office, however, recommended further investigation to determine whether Saraki or Ahmed had any knowledge of the attack or any role in supplying weapons.

A second legal opinion issued on August 23, 2018 reaffirmed the same position, stating that there was still no prima facie case against Saraki for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, or culpable homicide.

It also found no corroborating evidence linking another suspect, Yusuf Abdulwahab, to the incident.

Despite these findings, prosecution of the suspects continued.

In September 2024, a Kwara State High Court convicted five defendants for armed robbery and culpable homicide and sentenced them to death. The judgment was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in January.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government recently filed a 20-count charge against Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed, alleging involvement in arming the convicted robbers. Others charged include Abdulwahab and another aide, Alabi Olalekan.

Saraki has denied the allegations, accusing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of attempting to damage his reputation.

The OAGF had earlier suggested that Olalekan be prosecuted separately for illegal possession of firearms, while maintaining that there was insufficient evidence to charge Saraki or Abdulwahab based on the available records at the time.

It further advised that the case file be transferred to the Kwara State Attorney-General for prosecution of individuals directly linked to the attack.

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