Follow Us on Google
•Ex- Senate President alleges political witch-hunt as govt files 20-count charge against him
From Niyi Joseph, Ilorin
A renewed legal battle over the 2018 Offa robbery has ignited fresh political tension in Kwara State, with former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, strongly rejecting moves by the state government to prosecute him, describing the development as politically motivated and an attempt to smear his image.
The controversy follows plans by the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to file fresh charges against Saraki and former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over the deadly robbery incident that shook Offa in 2018.
Saraki, reacting to the development, said he was compelled to speak out due to growing public concern, insisting he had no link whatsoever to the crime. According to him, “I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter whatsoever.”
He described the move as “a desperate ploy by a drowning politician,” maintaining that the case had long been investigated and dismissed by relevant authorities. Saraki recalled that reviews by the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions under the Attorney General of the Federation found no evidence linking him to the crime.
Quoting from the legal opinion at the time, he noted that authorities were “unable to establish any prima facie case” against him for offences including conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
Other News
The former Senate President further alleged that the Offa robbery case was initially weaponised for political purposes during the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, claiming it was part of a broader strategy to weaken his political influence ahead of the 2019 elections.
“Suddenly, the governor woke up after I granted an interview where I spoke on insecurity in the state and thought he could resurrect these baseless charges,” Saraki said, accusing the state government of deliberately withholding key documents that cleared him.
He added that his legal team was ready to challenge the charges in court, expressing confidence that the judiciary would dismiss the case. “This is an abuse of court process to embarrass my person. I know this case will collapse like a pack of cards,” he said.
However, the Kwara State Government appears set to push ahead with the case. Fresh charges filed by the state’s Attorney-General, Ibrahim Sulyman (SAN), list Saraki, Ahmed and two former aides as defendants in a 20-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and related offences.
The case, scheduled before Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court, is expected to begin on June 4, 2026.
Central to the prosecution’s argument are confessional statements reportedly made by convicted robbery suspect Ayo Akinnibosun, who allegedly claimed links to a political structure associated with the accused persons.
