Former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has alleged that the deadly Offa robbery incident was orchestrated under the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, with the connivance of certain individuals from Kwara State, as a tool to blackmail his political group and seize power in 2019.
In a statement on Friday, Saraki accused the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of making an insidious move to initiate criminal proceedings against him over the robbery incident that occurred eight years ago.
According to Saraki, he would have dismissed the move and prepared to defend himself in court if not for appeals from concerned Nigerians who were surprised by the development.
“Thus, for the benefit of the general public, let me categorically state that I have nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter whatsoever. The Offa robbery incident was designed under the Buhari administration, with the connivance of some individuals from Kwara State, as an instrument of blackmail to seize political power from our group in 2019,” he said.
Saraki recalled that the case was investigated by a police team from the office of the Inspector General of Police. He added that, following two separate legal advisories dated June 22, 2018, and August 23, 2018, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) found no evidence linking him to the crime.
According to him, the DPP stated in its first legal advice: “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects.”
He further noted that the second report maintained the same position, stating that there was no prima facie case against him for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, or culpable homicide.
Saraki said that based on the DPP’s advice, four suspects were charged by the Kwara State Government, convicted at the trial court, and their convictions upheld by the appellate court. The case is currently before the Supreme Court.
He alleged that the governor’s renewed action followed his recent interview on Channels Television, where he commented on insecurity in the state.
“Suddenly, the governor acted after my interview and attempted to resurrect these baseless charges against his predecessors. In his propaganda efforts, he circulated skewed documents while deliberately withholding the DPP reports that contradict his claims,” Saraki said.
He described the move as frivolous and an abuse of judicial process aimed at tarnishing his reputation, adding that his legal team would challenge the matter in court.
Saraki further claimed that attempts were made to persuade victims’ families to file civil suits against him, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
He criticised the governor for allegedly using his position to launch what he described as a “vicious attack” on his reputation, warning that such actions undermine the integrity of public office.
