Appeal Court Clears Way for Fresh Offa Robbery Trial

The Court of Appeal has dismissed appeals from Dr Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Senate President and Kwara State Governor respectively, who sought to halt proceedings in the recent Offa robbery case. The appellate court in Ilorin ruled that the pending appeals did not offer sufficient grounds to suspend the ongoing criminal proceedings.

The accusations stem from a fresh 20-count charge filed against Saraki, Ahmed, and two others by the Kwara State Government following the deadly robbery in Offa on April 5, 2018. They face charges including criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. The defendants had requested the appellate court to issue an order restraining the trial court from proceeding with the case until their appeals were resolved.

However, the prosecution contested these requests, asserting that they should not be used to obstruct the criminal proceedings. The Court of Appeal denied the requests for a stay of proceedings but granted the appellants four days to submit their reply briefs. The appeal decision enables the Kwara State High Court to proceed with the case while the appeals are under consideration.

In 2024, five main suspects were convicted, and their convictions were upheld by the Court of Appeal. While Saraki, Ahmed, and the other defendants in the new prosecution have not been convicted, they are still entitled to the presumption of innocence.