Saraki Condemns Kwara Governor and Buhari Administration Over Offa Robbery Allegations
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has issued a strong statement accusing the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and the former Buhari administration of orchestrating the deadly Offa robbery incident as a tool for political blackmail. Saraki claims the 2018 robbery was designed to seize political power from his group ahead of the 2019 elections, with collusion from individuals within Kwara State.
Saraki Denies Involvement and Cites Legal Exonerations
In his declaration, Saraki categorically denied any direct or indirect connection to the armed robbery or any criminal activities. He referenced two separate legal advices from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, dated June 22, 2018, and August 23, 2018, which stated there was no evidence linking him to the incident. The DPP reports explicitly noted an inability to establish a nexus between Saraki and the suspects, clearing him of charges related to criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and culpable homicide.
Governor's Alleged Motives and Legal Maneuvers
Saraki asserted that Governor Abdulrazaq's recent move to initiate criminal liability cases against him is an insidious attempt to resurrect baseless charges, following Saraki's comments on state insecurity in a Channels TV interview. He accused the governor of hiding the DPP reports and other exonerating documents in paid newspaper advertisements to mislead the media and public. Saraki labeled this as a frivolous abuse of the court process aimed at embarrassing and defaming him, noting that the governor had previously tried to induce victims' families to file civil litigations, which failed when the families withdrew.
Political Implications and Saraki's Response
The former Senate President criticized the governor for taking Kwara State's governance to a low level with dirty politics, stating that no one at the national or state level believes the claims. He warned that those involved in the blackmail plot have faced consequences, predicting a similar fate for the governor. Saraki emphasized that his legal team is prepared to challenge the case in court, dismissing it as a mockery of judicial institutions and a crude joke fueled by political vendettas.
