Saraki Alleges Foul Play In Offa Robbery Suspect’s Death

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has called for investigations into the death of the prime suspect in the Offa robbery case.

The prime suspect, popularly known as ”Adikwu” was found to have masterminded the robbery of several banks in Offa, Kwara State.

The arrested suspects appeared in court on Wednesday without their kingpin, Adikwu, forcing questions from the people, before the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Kamaldeen Ajibade confirmed his death.

Saraki, unimpressed by the Commissioner’s revelation, and development on the case has stated that the proceedings the case has taken has vindicated him.

In a statement signed by his Special and Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the former Kwara State Governor called for further investigation into the case as he alleged the Police of trying to cover the truth up.

Over 20 persons were killed in April when the robbers raided some banks in Offa

Saraki said the development explains why “there had been inconsistencies in the various statements by the police”.

The statement read in part: “It should be recalled that when we mentioned it that the principal suspect had been murdered and that investigation into the Offa robbery attack was politically motivated and targeted at implicating me and other individuals, the police public relations officer, Moshood Jimoh said: ‘Michael Adikwu is in police custody’.

“The fresh facts have now thrown more light into why there had been inconsistencies in the various statements by the police. The police initially told the attorney-general of Kwara state that the principal suspect was alive and they only later reluctantly disclosed that he died in the course of arrest.

“How can a suspect confirmed to be in custody now be said to have died in the course of arrest? This contradiction shows a deliberate attempt to cover up something.

“It is obvious that the police have orchestrated the information they give to the public on the Offa robbery only to tarnish the image of the Kwara state governor and myself. 

We are calling for a public inquiry to probe the issues of extra-judicial killing, the cover-up of this killing with the aim of framing up some individuals for political purpose and politicising of criminal investigations. The facts need to be laid bare.

“The inquiry may help to further document and define the terms of handling of suspects in police custody and how to prevent extra-judicial killing of suspects, for whatever purpose.

“With the facts on ground, the issues that should be unearthed by the inquiry include: When exactly did the suspect die? How did he die? Why was the police denying the facts of his death when they knew he had died? At what point did the Police leadership knew of the death? Why are the police covering up the facts?”

Saraki also called for a honest, and prompt prosecution of the suspects so “that justice can be transparently done to both the victims of the Offa robbery and the accused persons”.