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Accuses Gov AbdulRazaq of using courts to settle political scores
By Sola Ojo, Abuja
The former Senate President and erstwhile Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of weaponising the judiciary to pursue a political vendetta following fresh attempts to link him to the 2018 Offa robbery incident.
In a statement released via his verified Facebook page on Friday, 17 April 2026, Saraki described the governor’s actions as a “desperate attempt to settle political scores,” maintaining that he has no connection, direct or indirect, with the robbery or any other criminal activity.
“Ordinarily, my attitude to this insidious move should be to shrug it off and say that we will meet in court, since I know I have nothing to do with the incident,” Saraki stated. “However, I have been inundated with calls from many well-meaning Nigerians; thus, for the benefit of the general public, let me categorically state that I have nothing to do with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter whatsoever.”
Saraki alleged that the Offa robbery case was originally orchestrated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a political tool to dismantle his influence ahead of the 2019 general elections. He claimed the incident was designed as an “instrument of blackmail” to seize political power from his associates.
Referencing legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the former governor noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had cleared him twice following police investigations.
“In two separate legal advices, the DPP stated that there was no evidence directly or indirectly linking me to the robbery incident,” he said, quoting the reports as stating that authorities were “unable to establish a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects.”
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Saraki further pointed out that the suspects already prosecuted in the matter had been convicted at trial and on appeal, with the case now pending before the Supreme Court. He accused Governor AbdulRazaq of reviving the issue only after Saraki criticised the state government’s handling of insecurity during a recent television interview.
“Suddenly, the governor woke up after I granted my interview and thought he could resurrect these baseless charges. These are deliberate efforts to mislead the media and give purchased publicity to a frame-up,” he added.
Labelling the development an abuse of the court process, Saraki expressed confidence that his legal team would successfully challenge the move. He also took a swipe at the governor’s priorities, accusing him of neglecting the worsening insecurity in Kwara State.
“One would have thought that a governor whose state has lost over 400 lives to banditry would concentrate efforts on taming the menace. No. He is fixated on filing frivolous and politically motivated charges,” Saraki remarked, adding that such actions undermined the dignity of the Office of the Governor.
“A sitting governor who is accusing his two immediate predecessors of armed robbery is only making a mockery of the institution. This is dirty politics taken too far and too low.”
Closing his statement, Saraki reaffirmed his faith in the legal system, saying, “I have an unflinching belief in the ability of the judiciary. I know this case against me will collapse like a pack of cards.”
