*Photo: Dr Bukola Saraki*
By Ibraheem Abdullateef
As interest heightens in the fresh criminal charges filed by the Kwara State Government against former Senate President Bukola Saraki, his successor Abdulfatah Ahmed, and some of their aides on the heinous Offa robbery incident which occurred in 2018, it is important for the public to be well informed about the intrigues and the nature of case to be able to weigh in fairly and objectively.
Among the things Dr Bukola Saraki and his followers have been bandying about is a purported DPP report issued by the Office of Attorney General of the Federation. They claim the report declared the former Senate President and others as having no case to answer. However, that is not the full picture.
Here are at least 7 things contained in the report:
1. The OAGF in its preliminary report said it is “unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and suspects”.
2. However, the OAGF advised that “further and more thorough investigation” may be conducted to establish whether Saraki and Ahmed were complicit either by approving the planning and execution of the Offa robbery attack.
3. The OAGF also urged for more investigations to uphold that the weapons used for the robbery attack were supplied by either the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, or the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed Maigida.
4. The OAGF also advised that any other area or areas that may assist in establishing a prima facie case of aiding and abetting crime, or accessory after the fact should be established.
5. In reference to one Olalekan, a former personal assistant to Ahmed on political matters, OAGF advised that he should be charged for the “offence of illegal possession of firearms”.
6. The OAGF also stated that there was “no evidence credible enough to sustain any charge based on any offence known to law” against Abdulwahab.
7. The OAGF advised the police to transfer the case file to the Kwara attorney-general and commissioner of justice for further investigations and prosecution.
A careful look at the above would tell that the case was far from being concluded as it is being claimed. It would rather reveal that further investigations that could help prosecution were what was recommended, required, and necessary. In any case, the OAGF advisory doesn’t stop Kwara State Government from charging him.
Now, many are also unaware that the gang members who were involved in that robbery were just convicted and sentenced to death in 2024 – since 2018 when their trial commenced.
This was appealed by the victims. The Court of Appeal, Ilorin, Kwara just upheld their sentences on January 30th, 2026.
Many legal heads have argued that upon the landmark judgement, the accessories to the crime and others with culpability can now be charged and tried.
This sentiment is clearly shared by some stakeholders and families of the victims who have constantly charged the government to fight for them and grant them solace in justice.
While preponderances of opinions may continue to trail the trial, it is important to be educated and factual in the interventions to deepen civil liberties and democracy in the state.
In the final analysis, a DPP report is in fact not a court judgment. It is an advisory which is not binding on even the Federal Government, much a state government.
*Senior Special Assistant to Kwara Governor on Communications