AGF Gives IGP Fresh Directive Over Saraki's Alleged Involvement In Offa Robbery

The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has called for further investigation into the indictment of the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the governor of Kwara state, Abdulfattah Ahmed in the Offa bank robbery.

Malami in a letter to the inspector gerenal of police, Ibrahim Idris, said the police would need to ramp up their investigation and painstakingly explore all critical areas before identifying the Senate President as a suspect in the carnage, much less filing charges against him.

The letter dated June 22, signed for Malami by DPP Mohammed Umar said only six prime suspects should be charged to court for armed robbery and murder which could draw capital punishment upon conviction.

The six suspects recommended for trial were: Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Ibrahim, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran and Mr Adikwu.

The prosecutor advised that the suspects they should be charged with the offences of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery among many others.

Premium Times reports that Olalekan Alabi, a personal assistant to Kwara state governor was recommended for trial, but only on lesser charges of illegal possession of arms.

In the letter, Umar examined the crime and the suspects the police lined up in their first information report submitted to the attorney-general’s office for prosecution.

He also rendered legal and technical suggestions about how to properly build a case that would not be discarded at a glance when the potential criminal trial begins.

The letter reads: “For the Senate President and the Kwara state governor, this office is unable to establish from the evidence in the interim report a nexus between the alleged offence and the suspects."

Umar also suggested that all items stolen by the robbers from the affected banks and other places would further aid in investigation while ballistic tests and forensic examination should be conducted.

The Senate president had for the second time written to Idris on his invitation to appear for an interrogation over the bank robbery.

Saraki after failing to honour the IGP invitation on Tuesday, July 24, said he had responded to all inquiries made by the police in his letter.

A spokesperson person to Saraki said the letter was duly acknowledged by the force headquarters and that there was no need for the Senate president to go to the police personally.