Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has strongly denied any involvement in the 2018 Offa armed robbery incident, describing fresh moves to prosecute him as politically motivated and an abuse of judicial process.
In a statement shared via his Facebook page, Saraki said attempts by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to revive allegations linking him to the deadly robbery were “frivolous” and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
The former Senate President maintained that previous investigations had already cleared him of any wrongdoing. He cited two separate legal advisories issued in 2018 by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which reportedly found no evidence linking him to the crime.
According to Saraki, the Director of Public Prosecutions concluded in both reports that there was no prima facie case connecting him to charges of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, or culpable homicide.
He further argued that the renewed allegations followed his recent criticism of the state government’s handling of insecurity, suggesting that the move was retaliatory.
“The case is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and embarrass my person,” Saraki said, adding that his legal team was prepared to challenge the matter in court.
Background: The Offa Robbery Incident
The controversy stems from the April 2018 Offa robbery, one of Nigeria’s most shocking violent crimes in recent years. Armed robbers attacked several banks in Offa, a town in Kwara State, killing dozens of people, including police officers and civilians.
The incident drew nationwide outrage and triggered a major investigation by the Nigeria Police Force. Several suspects were arrested, some of whom allegedly confessed to involvement in the attack.
At the time, the police publicly alleged links between some suspects and political figures in the state, including Saraki, who was then Senate President. The claims sparked intense political controversy, especially in the lead-up to the 2019 general elections.
However, the federal prosecution process took a different turn. Legal advice from the Attorney General’s office reportedly found insufficient evidence to charge Saraki or then-Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Subsequently, a number of suspects were prosecuted by the Kwara State Government, leading to convictions at the trial court level, which were later upheld on appeal. The matter is understood to be pending before the Supreme Court.
Renewed Political Tensions
Saraki alleged that the latest legal action was part of a broader campaign to discredit him and other political opponents. He also accused the governor of prioritizing political battles over governance, particularly amid rising insecurity in the state.
The former Senate President claimed that hundreds of lives had been lost to banditry and kidnappings in Kwara in recent times, arguing that the government should focus on addressing security challenges rather than pursuing “baseless charges.”
Efforts to reach the Kwara State Government for official reaction were not immediately successful as of press time.
Legal Battle Looms
Saraki expressed confidence in the judiciary, stating that the courts would ultimately dismiss the case.
“I have absolute faith that justice will prevail,” he said, insisting that the allegations would “collapse like a pack of cards.”
The development signals a potential new phase in the long-running political rivalry in Kwara State, with legal proceedings likely to draw renewed national attention to both the Offa robbery case and the state’s evolving political landscape.
