Former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed have accused incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of pursuing a political vendetta against them with issues linked to the 2018 robbery incident in offa.
The reactions by Saraki and Ahmed, who are AbdulRazaq’s predecessors, came after the state government filed 20-count charges against them regarding the Offa robbery incident.
The fresh legal battle over the 2018 Offa robbery has ignited a major political firestorm in Kwara State.
The case, now before Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court, is set to be heard on June 4, 2026.
The charges include criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, based on claims that the defendants allegedly provided arms to the convicted robbers.
The prosecution plans to rely on the alleged confessional statements of a convicted gang leader, Ayo Akinnibosun, who claimed ties to Saraki’s political structure.
Reacting to the allegations, Saraki, in a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, vehemently denied the accusations, describing them as “baseless” and an “abuse of court process”.
He claimed that the case was a plot by the Buhari’s administration in connivance with some individuals in Kwara State to blackmail and seize political power from his political group in 2019.
”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 stated.
”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,” he added.
The ex-Senate President insisted that prior investigations by the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) found “no prima facie case” and “no nexus” linking him to the crime.
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He argued that the suspects were already convicted without his involvement.
”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,” Saraki added.
He claimed that Governor AbdulRazaq resurrected the case after he granted interview to Channels Television where he expressed concerns about the state of insecurity in Kwara State.
Saraki accused the governor of using the case as a propaganda tool to divert attention from real governance challenges in the state and also to damage the reputations of the two ex-governors, adding that it is a clear example of “dirty politics taken too far and too low.”
On his part, Ex-governor Ahmed described the allegations as “false, baseless” and politically motivated.
”Let me state clearly and unequivocally: these allegations are false, baseless, and a desperate attempt to weaponise the instruments of the state for political persecution,” Ahmed stated in a statement released on Friday.
The Ex-governor noted that the Offa robbery incident remains one of the most painful chapters in the history of the state, adding that like every well-meaning citizen of Kwara, he mourned the victims and stood firmly for justice.
He expressed shock that after years of investigations into the matter and judicial processes that led to conviction of some suspects, the administration in the state has chosen to resurrect the matter “purely for political ends.”
”This latest move by the Kwara State Government is not about justice. It is about vendetta. It is about silencing perceived political opponents and rewriting narratives ahead of 2027.
”It is about distracting the good people of Kwara from the pressing issues of governance, including economic hardship, rising insecurity, and the visible decline in infrastructure and public services across the state,” he stated.
Ahmed, who is AbdulRazaq’s immediate predecessor said he has no link, direct or indirect, to any criminal activity, including the unfortunate Offa incident, during his tenure as governor.
He said the trial represents “a political script, not a pursuit of justice,” and expressed confidence in the judiciary to dispense justice without allowing the institution to be used as a tool for political manipulation.
He urged the people of Kwara State to remain calm, law-abiding, and focused not allowing what he described as “judicial rascality and political weaponization of sad events” to divide them.
Both Saraki and Ahmed criticised Governor AbdulRazaq for focusing on reviving an incident that has been addressed through judicial process whill there serious security crises in the state, including kidnapping, banditry and terrorism that have led to death of over 400 people and over 200 in captivity.
Background to the 2018 Offa Robbery Incident
On April 5, 2018, armed gangs raided banks and a police station in Offa, killing 33 people, including 12 police officers.
In September 2024, five suspects were convicted and are now appealing at the judgement at the Supreme Court.
Besides Saraki and Ahmed, the other defendants are Yusuf Abdulwahab (ex-Chief of Staff) and Alabi Olalekan (an aide).
“Political Vendetta” vs. “No one is Above the Law”
The conflict has split along party lines, with the PDP and APC trading accusations.
Saraki claims the move is a “desperate ploy by a drowning politician” to settle scores after he criticised the government’s handling of insecurity. Saraki further alleged the state is hiding exculpatory documents (the DPP reports) while leaking skewed narratives to the press.
The Kwara PDP accused the Governor of “weaponising tragedy” for cheap political gain.
On the other hand, the Kwara APC insists this is purely a legal matter, stating that “no one is above the law.” They dismissed Saraki’s claims as “laughable” and advised him to face the court rather than the media. The party argued that the government has a duty to ensure justice for the 33 victims of the robbery.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X