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Ex-Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described as a “desperate ploy by a drowning politician” the move by Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to initiate a case of criminal culpability against him over the Offa robbery incident of 2018 “which I know nothing about”.

While describing the criminal case as “dirty politics taken too far and too low”, Saraki warned Abdulrazaq to desist from this despicable act of using the Offa robbery incident as a weapon anytime he came under political pressure over his poor policy conception and failure to live up to expectations as a governor of a state known as the State of Harmony.

Ordinarily, my attitude to this insidious move by the incumbent Governor of Kwara State to initiate a case of criminal liability against me in the unfortunate incident of armed robbery which happened in Offa community eight years ago should be to shrug it off and say that we will meet in court since I know I have nothing to do with the incident or any other crime for that matter.

“However, I have been inundated with calls from many well-meaning Nigerians who were surprised by this turn of events. Thus, for the benefit of the general public, let me categorically state that I have nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter, whatsoever. The Offa robbery incident was designed under the Buhari administration with the connivance of some individuals from Kwara State as an instrument of blackmail to seize political power from our group in 2019.

“The case was investigated by the police team from the office of the Inspector General of Police. However, following the investigation, in two separate legal advices dated June 22nd, 2018, and August 23rd, 2018, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) stated that there was no evidence directly or indirectly linking me to the robbery incident.

“ The DPP in his first legal advice stated that “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects”.
In a second report, the DPP stated that “With regards to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, since there is no departure from the earlier findings in the interim report, this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide”.

Based on the DPP’s advice, four suspects were charged in court by the Kwara State Government. They were convicted at the trial court and the conviction was upheld by the appellate court. The matter is now before the Supreme Court.

Suddenly, the governor woke up after I granted my interview to Channels TV where I commented on the insecurity in the state and thought he could resurrect these baseless charges against his two predecessors. I noticed that in his propaganda plan to circulate his frivolous charges and other skewed documents as paid advertisements in the national newspapers, even before serving the defendants, he intentionally hid the DPP reports and other documents which put a lie to the charade he is perpetuating. These are deliberate efforts to mislead the media and induce them to give purchased publicity to the frame-up.

“Therefore, I am under no illusion that this case was a frivolous move and an abuse of court process to embarrass my person. My legal team will definitely meet this governor in court. I believe that Abdulrahman just feels that he could still use this case to harass and defame my person by abusing the judicial process. He had tried to induce the families of the victims to initiate civil litigations against the other respondents and me, but he seemed not to be making progress with that mischievous effort because the families backed out.

“I need to remind him that this vicious attack on my reputation because he enjoys the immunity of a governor is a huge joke on him. A sitting governor who is accusing his two immediate predecessors of armed robbery is only making a mockery of the institution. He is only taking the governorship of our dear state to the gutter.

This is an example of dirty politics taken too far and too low. He ought to know that nobody at the national or state level is buying his claim. He is the butt of a crude joke. Many of those involved in the plot to blackmail me with the Offa robbery case have since faced judgements of the law of karma. I do not doubt that this governor will end up the same way.

“One would have thought that a governor whose state has lost over 400 lives to banditry between January 2025 and March 2026, with over 100 others kidnapped in the worst cases of insecurity since its creation, would concentrate efforts and focus attention on taming the menace by getting the bandits arrested to face justice. No. He is fixated on filing frivolous and politically motivated charges against his predecessors.

This shows the dark mindset of the man who is the governor of Kwara State today. A man who emphasises dirty politics over development and security of life and properties of the citizenry. He started working on this plot immediately after my interview on Channels TV where I flayed his lack of capacity in tackling the security crisis in the state. He thought this case would erase his record as the governor with the worst cases of insecurity under his watch in the state’s history. It is an unenviable record he has sustained by his lack of capacity and ability to tackle serious issues of the state.

“This is a mere act of a desperate politician who is losing control in his party and knows that his days in governance are numbered.

It is the reason Nigerians should always take into consideration the level of education of those we elect into office. For a man who never completed secondary school education, it is difficult for him to appreciate the issues involved in any matter. His level of education is definitely affecting his judgement.

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An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.

The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.

The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.

Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.

Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.

The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.

Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.

However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.

He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.

After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.

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Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.

Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.

The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.

The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.

In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.

He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.

Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.

“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.

Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.

“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”

The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.

“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.

Parts of the police invitation letter read:

“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.

“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.

“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”