The Kwara State Government has filed a 20-count charge against Bukola Saraki, former Senate President, and Abdulfatah Ahmed, former governor of the state, over allegations of arming suspects convicted of robbery in Offa.
Other defendants in the case are Yusuf Abdulwahab, a former chief of staff to Ahmed, and Alabi Olalekan, another aide.
The charges were filed at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on April 9, 2026.
According to the charge sheet, Saraki, Ahmed, Abdulwahab, Olalekan, and five convicted individuals allegedly conspired on April 5, 2018, in Offa, Kwara State, to commit armed robbery at several banks, including branches of Guarantee Trust Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Ecobank, Union Bank, and Zenith Bank.
They were also accused of carrying out the robbery while armed with guns and explosives, an offence punishable under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act.
Background
On April 5, 2018, multiple banks were attacked and a police station was raided in Offa, Kwara State, resulting in 33 deaths, including a pregnant woman and 12 police officers.
In September 2024, a Kwara State High Court found five suspects guilty of illegal possession of firearms, armed robbery, and culpable homicide. The convicts are Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran.
In January 2026, the Court of Appeal upheld their convictions and sentences.
Following the incident, the police invited Saraki for questioning, alleging that Akinnibosun claimed the gang members were political thugs linked to him. The police also alleged that the gang leader received vehicles and money from Saraki through Abdulwahab.
However, during a court hearing in March 2019, Akinnibosun alleged that Abba Kyari, then a deputy commissioner of police, pressured him and others to implicate Saraki and coerced confessional statements.
Saraki has consistently denied any connection to the robbery suspects.
Saraki served as Kwara State governor from 2003 to 2011 and as Senate President from 2015 to 2019, while Ahmed governed the state from 2011 to 2019.
