Offa Bank Robbery: Group Says Withdrawal Of 18 Charges Vindicates Saraki, Ahmed
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
A group, under the aegis of the Offa Youth Progressives, has described the withdrawal of 18 out of the original 20 charges against former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and former Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, over the 2018 Offa bank robbery as a vindication of its longstanding position that the two former leaders were wrongly linked to the incident.
The group said the decision by the Kwara State Government to withdraw 18 of the original 20 charges against the former leaders reinforced its belief that the allegations were politically motivated and designed to tarnish their reputations for partisan interests.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the group’s Coordinator, Adekola Mubarak Tadenikawo, they maintained that Saraki and Ahmed had no connection with the robbery, which claimed several lives and left businesses and families devastated.
It noted that although the government withdrew 18 of the initial charges, it introduced two new charges, bringing the total number of charges in the amended case to four.
The group, however, said the development raised questions about the handling of the case, insisting that justice must be pursued strictly on the basis of credible evidence and due process.
It recalled that it had consistently opposed attempts to associate the former political leaders with the robbery, describing such efforts as part of a campaign to discredit them politically.
The organisation also condemned what it called the politicisation of the tragedy, arguing that the suffering of victims, their families and the Offa community should not be turned into a tool for political campaigns.
It urged residents to reject politicians and political parties that allegedly exploit the tragedy during election cycles to gain public sympathy and advance their interests.
“Enough of the deceit and political propaganda built around the misfortune of our people. Offa deserves better than a political culture that repeatedly brings up its tragedy for electoral advantage,” the statement said.
“Our people must reject any government or political party that exploits their suffering to score cheap political points.”
The group congratulated Saraki and Ahmed on the withdrawal of the armed robbery-related charges, expressing optimism that the remaining legal issues would be resolved fairly and in accordance with the law.
It also called on the Kwara State Government to show greater sensitivity to the feelings of Offa residents and ensure that the judicial process was allowed to run its course without political interference.
The 2018 Offa bank robbery remains one of the most devastating security incidents in Kwara State, with the group insisting that the quest for justice for victims must not be sacrificed on the altar of political interests.
