NGO Urges Saraki To Support Retrial Of 2018 Offa Robbery Case To Clear His Name Amid Fresh Allegations

NGO urges Saraki to support retrial of 2018 Offa robbery case to clear his name amid fresh allegations A civil society organisation has called on former Senate President Bukola Saraki to support the reopening of the 2018 Offa bank robbery case in court, saying a full retrial would provide him an opportunity to clear his name amid renewed allegations linking him to the incident. The group made the appeal following the recent filing of fresh charges by the Kwara State Government against Saraki and other individuals over their alleged involvement in the deadly 2018 Offa armed robbery incident, which claimed over 30 lives. The NGO, whose name was not immediately disclosed in the report, said the resurfacing of the case has created confusion in public discourse and urged Saraki to take an active legal stance in order to “finally settle the matter in court once and for all.”

It argued that participating fully in a retrial would not only defend Saraki’s reputation but also strengthen public confidence in the justice system, especially as the case has continued to generate political controversy years after the incident. The call comes amid renewed tension surrounding the Offa robbery case, following the filing of a 20-count charge by the Kwara State Government against Saraki, former Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, and others, alleging criminal conspiracy and support for convicted suspects. The robbery incident, which occurred on April 5, 2018, involved attacks on banks and a police station in Offa, Kwara State, and resulted in the killing of civilians and police officers. While earlier federal legal advice reportedly found no evidence linking Saraki directly to the crime, it also recommended further investigation into possible connections and alleged support for the perpetrators. Saraki has consistently denied any involvement, maintaining that the allegations are politically motivated. He has also pointed to earlier investigative conclusions which stated that no prima facie case was established against him. The Offa robbery case remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile criminal trials in recent years, drawing political and legal attention due to allegations involving prominent political figures. Several suspects have already been convicted, with courts affirming their sentences in recent rulings. The renewed legal actions have reignited debate over accountability, evidence standards, and the intersection of politics and criminal justice in Nigeria.
The NGO insisted that a transparent judicial process would ultimately benefit all parties, urging Saraki to “embrace the retrial process” as a path to final closure for one of Nigeria’s most controversial criminal cases.