Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has asserted that the recent decision by the Kwara State Government to withdraw 18 out of 20 counts in the Offa bank robbery case validates his claim of political persecution. The legal action, originally instituted against him and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, was scaled back after prosecutors dropped charges relating to armed robbery, the tragic deaths of police officers, and illegal firearm possession.
Speaking through his media office, the former lawmaker maintained that abandoning the bulk of the indictment demonstrates the complete absence of credible evidence from the onset. The statement, issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu, further accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration of misusing the judiciary to blemish the political standing of his predecessors ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
What are the remaining charges against the former governors?
While counts one through 18 have been discarded, two surviving counts continue to target the defendants. These remaining allegations accuse the former governors and co-accused individuals of belonging to a criminal gang and attempting to conceal or dispose of a vehicle allegedly utilised during the operation. Responding to the adjusted charge sheet, Saraki’s representatives noted that their legal counsel is prepared to challenge these remaining counts in court.
What is the background of the Offa robbery prosecution?
This legal battle stems from the violent April 2018 bank raids in Offa, Kwara State, which claimed at least 32 lives, including several law enforcement personnel. Earlier this year, the state administration brought a 20-count charge against Saraki, former Governor Ahmed, former Chief of Staff Yusuf Abdulwahab, and former aide Alabi Olalekan. The initial filings encompassed criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and unlawful firearm possession.
Throughout the proceedings, the defendants maintained their innocence. Saraki repeatedly argued that the prosecution lacked merit, citing prior investigations by federal security agencies and legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in 2018 that reportedly cleared him of involvement.
Furthermore, recent political developments have added complexity to the case. Saheed Popoola, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and currently a Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate for Kwara South, previously admitted to weaponising the robbery allegations against Saraki during the 2019 election campaigns for political leverage.
Why does Saraki claim 2027 motivations?
Saraki's camp highlighted that the partial withdrawal of charges coincided with his political tours across Kwara South to mobilise support for PDP candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. They also alleged that the state government expended nearly N100 million on newspaper campaigns to promote the original allegations, labeling the expenditure a misapplication of public funds.
Additionally, the media office claimed that figures aligned with the state administration influenced certain victims' families to file a separate civil suit against the former governors. Reaffirming their stance, Saraki's team expressed absolute confidence that the remaining charges would similarly collapse under judicial scrutiny.