By Asaye Bankole
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has accused the Kwara State Government of political persecution and abuse of judicial powers following its decision to withdraw 18 of the 20 charges filed against him and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed over the 2018 Offa bank robbery.
Saraki, through his media office, described the withdrawal as an indication that the allegations against the two former governors lacked credible evidence, expressing confidence that the two remaining charges would also fail in court.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday and signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office, the former Senate President said the withdrawn charges included allegations of armed robbery, the killing of police officers and illegal possession of firearms.
The amended charge sheet retained two allegations relating to conspiracy to belong to a gang of thieves and membership of such a gang, as well as claims concerning the concealment or disappearance of a vehicle allegedly used for illegal activities.
The original 20-count charge had accused Saraki, Ahmed and others of conspiring to rob branches of Guarantee Trust Bank, First Bank, Ecobank and Union Bank in Offa, Kwara State, on April 5, 2018.
Another count alleged that the defendants participated in the robbery of Zenith Bank’s Offa branch while armed with guns and explosives.
Reacting to the development, Saraki’s media office said the withdrawal of the 18 charges showed that the allegations against the former governors had no factual foundation.
It accused the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of using the prosecution to damage the reputations of his predecessors and create political controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement also alleged that the state government had spent nearly N100 million publicising its allegations against the former governors through advertisements in national newspapers earlier in the year.
Saraki’s media office described the alleged expenditure as a waste of public resources, arguing that the money could have been used to execute projects for the benefit of residents.
It further linked the amendment of the charges to Saraki’s recent political activities in Offa and other communities in Kwara South, where he was campaigning for Peoples Democratic Party candidates ahead of the elections.
The former Senate President’s media office maintained that his legal team would challenge the remaining charges in court, expressing confidence that they would not survive judicial scrutiny.
The Offa bank robbery occurred on April 5, 2018, when armed men attacked several commercial banks in the community, killing several people, including police officers.
Following the incident, the police invited Saraki for questioning after some arrested suspects allegedly mentioned his name during investigations. He denied any involvement in the attack.
The allegations resurfaced in April 2026 when the Kwara State Government filed a fresh 20-count charge against Saraki, Ahmed and two former aides, Yusuf Abdulwahab and Alabi Olalekan.
The charges included criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.
Saraki had consistently denied the allegations, citing legal opinions issued by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation in June and August 2018, which he said found no evidence linking him to the robbery.
He also accused Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration of pursuing the case for political reasons.
The latest development leaves two charges pending against the former governors, with Saraki indicating that he intends to contest them in court.
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