Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has denied any involvement in the 2018 Offa armed robbery incident, accusing Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, of reviving “baseless” allegations to settle political scores.
Saraki, in a statement on Friday described the move to initiate criminal proceedings against him as “insidious,” insisting he had no connection – directly or indirectly – with the robbery or any criminal activity.
“Ordinarily, my attitude to this insidious move by the incumbent Governor of Kwara State… 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,” he said.
He noted, however, that he was compelled to respond due to concerns raised by Nigerians. “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,” Saraki added.
The former Senate President further alleged that the Offa robbery case was politically motivated, claiming it was orchestrated during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to weaken his political influence ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“The Offa robbery incident was designed under the Buhari administration… as an instrument of blackmail to seize political power from our group in 2019,” he alleged.
Saraki cited legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, noting that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had twice found no evidence linking him to the crime.
Quoting from the reports, he said: “For the Senate President and the Kwara State Governor, this office is unable to establish… a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects.”
He added that a subsequent review reaffirmed the position, stating that “this office is still unable to establish any prima facie case against him for any offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide.”
According to Saraki, following the DPP’s advice, four suspects were prosecuted, convicted at trial, and their convictions upheld on appeal, with the matter now pending before the Supreme Court.
He accused Governor Abdulrazaq of attempting to “resurrect these baseless charges” after he granted a recent interview addressing insecurity in the state.
“I noticed that in his propaganda plan… he intentionally hid the DPP reports and other documents which put a lie to the charade he is perpetuating,” Saraki said, alleging efforts to mislead the media through “frivolous charges and skewed documents.”
Describing the development as an abuse of judicial process, Saraki vowed to challenge the move in court. “My legal team will definitely meet this governor in court,” he said.
He also alleged attempts to involve victims’ families in civil actions against him, claiming such efforts had failed. “He had tried to induce the families of the victims… but he seemed not to be making progress… because the families backed out,” he stated.
Saraki further criticised the governor, saying the allegations undermined the office of the governor. “A sitting governor who is accusing his two immediate predecessors of armed robbery is only making a mockery of the institution,” he said.
“This is an example of dirty politics taken too far and too low,” Saraki added, maintaining that the allegations against him lack credibility.
