Saraki Offa Robbery Case: APC, PDP clash over fresh charges

By: Abudu Olalekan

Things are heating up in Kwara State.

APC accuses Saraki of Offa link. PDP claims 2018 clearance. Reportersroom looks at the new court filings and political fallout ahead of 2027.

A full-blown political fight is brewing between the APC and the PDP. And the fuel? Old accusations linking former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki to the infamous 2018 Offa bank robbery.

Fresh war of words erupted recently. It is getting messy.

Basically, the APC is claiming Saraki kept ties with convicted offenders. They say it’s open secret. But the PDP fired back fast. Calling the claims baseless. Political blackmail even.

According to reports gathered by Reportersroom, there is new info emerging. Something interesting came from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Turns out Saraki was cleared officially back then. Despite new charges now floating around.

But wait, there’s more.

The Kwara State government stepped in on Thursday. They filed criminal charges against Saraki and his successor Abdulfatah Ahmed. Over the Offa incident. Specifically, it was twenty counts before the State High Court in Ilorin.

Criminal conspiracy. Culpable homicide. The usual heavy stuff. Case number KWS/114C/26. They also tagged Yusuf Abdulwahab and Alabi Olalekan. Expected in court June 4th. Justice Haleemah Salman presiding.

April 5, 2018 robbery was serious. Coordinated attack. Banks. Police station. Over 30 dead. Including police officers. That trauma is still raw.

Now back to the talking.

Alhaji Abdulwaheed Babatunde. He’s the APC State Publicity Secretary. Spoke to journalists in Ilorin. Said testimonies from investigations pointed to connections. Between Saraki and the gang.

He called the PDP statement melodramatic. Saraki shouldn’t lose sleep if hands are clean though. Courts deal with evidence. Not press statements rewriting history.

Babatunde mentioned specific names too. Yusuf Abdulwahab (ex-Chief of Staff) and Ayo Akinnibosun (convicted suspect). Akinnibosun allegedly led a political group funded by Saraki. Interrogation supposedly contradicted Saraki’s denials.

Saraki calling it laughable says Babatunde. But the lawyer added, we leave the court to do its work. Trial starts in June.

Also, the APC slammed Saraki for relying on media narratives instead of law. Facebook posts won’t cut it. Prosecution is lawful exercise. No one above the law.

They linked it to insecurity too. Demands accountability for sponsors of banditry. Offa remains painful memory. Justice must be served.

Babatunde took a shot at Saraki’s integrity record too. While PDP re-litigates past, Governor Razaq focusing on dividends. Schools. Roads. Health facilities. Salaries.

Then comes the rebuttal.

PDP described APC allegations as watery and pedestrian. Claiming intellectual bankruptcy. Olusegun Adewara signed their statement. Called it unintelligent attempt to resurrect resolved matter.

Insisted Saraki already cleared. By relevant authorities. Even the Office of the AGF.

No new info in documents parading around current trial. Previous security agencies investigated this same claims. Director of Public Prosecutions absolved Saraki twice. Explicitly no link direct or indirect.

They asked why revisit years after original prosecution? If genuine justice, why not alongside others?

Convicts claimed initial confessional statements were coercion. Under duress. Promised visas. Money. Removed from trial list. Implicate Saraki and get rewarded apparently.

State government using it distraction. Governance challenges ignored. Propaganda against Saraki wont alter inevitable verdict for AbdulRahman in 2027. PDP declared that bluntly.

Legal Opinions history check.

Two separate legal opinions issued in 2018. From the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Concluded no evidence linking Saraki.

Dated June 22nd and August 23rd. Signed by Mohammed U.E. Director of Public Prosecutions. On behalf of Abubakar Malami (then AGF). Available evidence didn’t establish connection.

Review involved 16-page police report. Prepared by Intelligence Response Team. Led by Deputy Commissioner Abba Kyari. Investigated April 5 robbery. Letter to Inspector-General of Police stated no nexus based on available evidence.

First legal advice June 22, 2018. Signed on behalf of Malami. Quote was unable to establish nexus between alleged offence and suspects. Advice was thorough investigation continue.

Second police report July 27, 2018. Second opinion dated August 23, 2018. Reaffirmed earlier conclusion. Document noted since no departure from earlier findings, office unable to establish prima facie case against him for offences like armed robbery punishable with death.

Recommendation was prosecution six individuals directly linked. Names listed: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Ibrahim, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran, Michael Adiukwu.

Adiukwu died in custody later. Remaining suspects tried before Kwara State High Court. Defendants reportedly recanted earlier confessional statements implicating Saraki. Alleged coerced by investigators. Claimed inducements offered including money and promises foreign travel visas.

Trial eventually led conviction of five defendants. Sentenced to death by Kwara State High Court September 2024. Verdict upheld by Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin January 2026. Appellate panel led by Justice Ridwan Abdullahi. Justices Gabriel Kolawole and Abdul Dogo agreed too. Ruling prosecution proved case beyond reasonable doubt. Affirmed convictions for armed robbery, illegal possession firearms, culpable homicide. Case pending Supreme Court currently.

Despite earlier legal opinions and rulings, Kwara State Government instituted fresh charges now.

Government says weapons recovered from Government House and state ministry in 2018. Exhibits tendered during principal suspects trial. Prosecutors relying on confessional statements attributed to Akinnibosun. Claimed led group of armed operatives connected to political figures. Received financial logistical support.

Fresh charges reignited debate. Remains one of most high-profile criminal incidents in Kwara State.

Legal practitioners weighed in. Musa Andulraheem Ilorin-based. Said new prosecution raised questions about interplay between federal legal advice and state powers initiate proceedings. Noted while Attorney-General cleared Saraki based on evidence at time, emergence of new evidence justify further legal action. Though office AG had cleared Saraki in 2018, if there are new facts, new charges can be filed.

Another practitioner Saheed Imama argued move risk being perceived politically motivated. Especially context growing political realignments ahead of 2027 elections. Doesn’t understand why state government bringing up case again despite advice DPP exonerating Saraki and court convicting suspects.