Kwara State Government Files 20-Count Criminal Charges Against Former Senate President and Ex-Governor
The Kwara State Government has taken a significant legal step by filing a comprehensive 20-count criminal charge against former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The charges, which also implicate two former aides, were formally lodged before the Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on April 9, 2026. This development represents a fresh legal escalation in a case that has captivated national attention since the tragic events of 2018.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Armed Robbery Linked to Offa Attacks
According to the detailed charge sheet, the defendants stand accused of conspiring with individuals who have already been convicted for their direct roles in the notorious Offa bank robberies. The document specifically names the following individuals alongside Saraki and Ahmed: Yusuf Abdulwahab, Alabi Olalekan, Ayoade Akinnibosun (now a convict), Ibikunle Ogunleye (now a convict), Adeola Abraham (now a convict), Salawu Azeez (now a convict), and Niyi Ogundiran (now a convict).
The charge explicitly states: "That you OLUBUKOLA ABUBAKAR SARAKI, ABDULFATAH AHMED, YUSUF ABDULWAHAB, ALABI OLALEKAN, AYOADE AKINNIBOSUN (now a convict), IBIKUNLE OGUNLEYE (now a convict), ADEOLA ABRAHAM (now a convict), SALAWU AZEEZ (now a convict) and NIYI OGUNDIRAN (now a convict)... conspired among yourselves to do an illegal act to wit; committed armed robbery... and you thereby committed an offence."
A separate count further alleges that the accused persons actively participated in armed attacks on bank facilities in Offa. The charge sheet elaborates: "That you... while armed with guns and explosives robbed the staff and premises of Zenith Bank Plc Offa branch... and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act."
Background: The Deadly Offa Robbery Attack of 2018
These serious charges are directly linked to the devastating April 5, 2018 attacks in Offa, Kwara State, where multiple banks and a police station were simultaneously targeted by armed robbers. The coordinated assault resulted in the tragic deaths of 33 people, including both security personnel and innocent civilians, making it one of Nigeria's deadliest criminal attacks in recent history.
In 2024, a Kwara State High Court convicted five individuals—Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez, and Niyi Ogundiran—on multiple charges including armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and culpable homicide. Their convictions were subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal in January of the following year, solidifying their legal status as convicted criminals.
Controversial Allegations and Counterclaims Surface
Following the robbery, law enforcement authorities made explosive allegations that the gang leader, Ayoade Akinnibosun, had claimed connections to Bukola Saraki. According to these allegations, Akinnibosun stated he had received vehicles and financial support through intermediaries linked to the former Senate President.
During a public parade organized by police, Akinnibosun reportedly acknowledged that his group had worked for Saraki during his tenure as governor of Kwara State. However, he notably clarified that the former governor was not aware of their robbery operations, creating a complex narrative of association without direct knowledge.
In a dramatic turn of events during a 2019 court appearance, the gang leader alleged that he had been pressured by a senior police officer to implicate Saraki falsely. Akinnibosun claimed he was threatened into making specific statements, adding layers of controversy to an already complicated case.
Saraki's Consistent Denial and Political Significance
Bukola Saraki has maintained a consistent position of complete denial regarding any connection to the robbery suspects or the crimes themselves. Through various statements and legal representations, he has categorically rejected all allegations linking him to the Offa attacks.
The latest charges mark a significant development in a case that has remained in the public eye for years. Both Saraki and Ahmed have served in the highest political positions in Kwara State, with Saraki serving as governor from 2003 to 2011 and later as Senate President from 2015 to 2019. Ahmed governed the state between 2011 and 2019, making the allegations against these prominent political figures particularly noteworthy.
The Kwara State High Court is expected to set a date for further proceedings in this high-profile matter, which continues to generate intense public interest and legal scrutiny across Nigeria.
