Saraki denies involvement in Offa robbery, alleges Abdulrazaq’s fresh charges are a political witch-hunt

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has rejected fresh criminal charges linking him to the 2018 Offa bank robbery, describing the move as politically motivated and an attempt to damage his reputation.

In a statement issued on Friday, Saraki said he had “nothing to do directly or indirectly with any case of armed robbery or any criminal matter,” insisting the allegations were baseless.

His reaction follows the filing of a 20-count charge by the Kwara State government led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. The charges also name former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and two others over their alleged roles in the April 2018 robbery.

The Offa robbery, one of Nigeria’s deadliest in recent years, left 33 people dead, including police officers and civilians.

According to the state government, the charges, dated April 9, 2026, accuse Saraki and Ahmed of supporting and arming suspects involved in the attack. The case is scheduled for arraignment at the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on June 4.

The prosecution’s move comes after the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction of key suspects, including Ayo Akinnibosun, who reportedly confessed to being linked to Saraki’s political structure during the trial.

Authorities also claim that weapons and other exhibits tied to the robbery were recovered from government locations in 2018 and later used as evidence in court.

However, Saraki dismissed the renewed charges as a reaction to his recent criticism of rising insecurity in the state under Abdulrazaq’s administration.

“Suddenly, the governor woke up after I granted my interview… and thought he could resurrect these baseless charges,” he said, referencing a recent media appearance.

He further accused the governor of attempting to mislead the public through selective release of documents and what he described as a “propaganda plan” to tarnish his image.

Saraki argued that key reports, including those from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), were deliberately withheld because they contradict the allegations.

He also claimed that attempts were made to encourage victims’ families to pursue civil cases against him and other defendants, but those efforts did not succeed.

Describing the charges as an abuse of judicial process, Saraki said his legal team would challenge the case in court, insisting the move was aimed at harassment and political intimidation rather than justice.

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