Former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s name has reappeared in the ongoing court case concerning the infamous robbery attack in Offa, Kwara state on April 5, 2018.
A witness, Shamsudeen Bada, testified before the Kwara state high court in Ilorin that he was tortured by the Abba Kyari-led intelligence response team in order to implicate the former Senate President.
Bada’s confession was read aloud in evidence by the defence counsel, Mathias Emeribe, at the resumption of the trial.
The infamous Offa Robbery resulted in the deaths of nine police officers and civilians. Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, and two others were charged with these crimes, which included illegal possession of firearms.
During cross-examination, Bada revealed that the suspects’ families threatened legal action for illegal detention, but the police intelligence team ignored the threats, claiming that they were only acting on orders from the Inspector-General of Police.
The witness revealed that while detained, police operatives offered them freedom in exchange for naming the ex-Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as their sponsor.
He revealed that when one of the detainees (Ayo Akinnibosun) refused to comply, he was shot in the leg.
The witness said:
“After he was shot, my health started deteriorating. DCP Abba Kyari brought some nurses to treat me.
“Before I was eventually released, the police officers gave me conditions before I was released that I must not grant any press interview, I must not go to court and I should quit politics.”
Meanwhile, the cross-examination by the prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) was placed on hold due to the unavailability of a document that was supposed to be submitted before the court.
Following this development, the presiding judge, Justice Halimat Salman adjourned the case until January, 16, 17, and 18 when the witness will return for cross-examination.