Saraki accuses Kwara govt of political witch-hunt after withdrawal of Offa robbery charges

Bukola Saraki has accused the Kwara State Government of a political vendetta after it cut the Offa robbery charges against him from 20 counts to four, and he says he will fight the remaining charges.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has accused the Kwara State Government of abusing the judicial process and pursuing a political vendetta against him over the 2018 Offa bank robbery case, Daily Trust reports.

This follows the government’s amendment of the charges against him and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, which reduces 20 counts to four and drops the armed robbery allegations.

The new charges include conspiracy to belong to a gang of thieves, membership of a gang of thieves, and alleged concealment of a vehicle used for an unlawful purpose.

“Without commenting on a case that has been filed in court, we consider the amendment of the charges ridiculous, mischievous, ill-intentioned, and a further attempt to abuse the judicial process,” said Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of Saraki’s media office.

The office alleged that the case was politically motivated ahead of the 2027 elections and that the state had spent nearly N100m on newspaper adverts publicising it. It said Saraki would contest the remaining charges.