BREAKING: Ex-Govs Saraki, Ahmed, others to face trial over Offa bank robbery, slammed with 20 criminal charges
•Ex-Governor Bukola Saraki
The Kwara State Government has filed a 20-count criminal charge against former Senate President Bukola Saraki and ex-Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed over their alleged roles in the deadly Offa bank robbery that shook the nation in April 2018.
Also named in the suit are a former Chief of Staff, Yusuf Abdulwahab, and an aide, Alabi Olalekan.
The case, marked KWS/114C/26, includes charges of culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms, and will be heard before Justice Haleemah Salman at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin.
Case Revived After Appeal Court Ruling
The fresh prosecution follows the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of convictions of key robbery suspects, including gang leader Ayo Akinnibosun.
Akinnibosun had earlier confessed in court to leading a network of armed thugs allegedly linked to Saraki’s political structure — claims the former Senate President has consistently denied.
Explosive Testimonies
In court filings, Akinnibosun claimed he received weapons and financial support tied to political activities.
“The two AK-47 rifles in my possession were given to me by the Chief of Staff,” he stated in evidence presented before the court.
He further alleged that he headed a group of political enforcers working for Saraki and Ahmed, claiming he was regularly funded and even gifted a Lexus SUV.
“I was given money to distribute to my boys… the last was N500,000,” he said.
Links to Government Facilities
Investigators had earlier recovered vehicles and other exhibits linked to the robbery from the Kwara State Government House and a ministry — items later used in securing convictions against the armed gang.
Prosecutors argue that these links form part of a broader chain tying political actors to the criminal network.
Photographs, Visits Raise Questions
Although Saraki denied any association with Akinnibosun, both men were reportedly seen together in photographs from a family event.
The convicted gang leader also claimed he accompanied Saraki on a condolence visit to Offa shortly after the robbery — a detail now expected to feature prominently in trial proceedings.
Defence Yet to Open
The accused persons are expected to be arraigned in Ilorin, where the charges will formally be read.
Legal fireworks are anticipated as the high-profile case reopens one of Nigeria’s most controversial robbery incidents — one that left dozens dead and sparked nationwide outrage.
