Kwara Govt Files Fresh Charges Against Saraki, Ahmed Over Offa Robbery

The Kwara State Government has filed fresh charges against former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed in connection with the 2018 Offa bank robbery case. The new charges, reduced from 20 counts to four, drop allegations of armed robbery and introduce new claims of conspiracy and membership of a gang of thieves. The amended charge sheet, signed by the Kwara State Attorney General, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, targets Saraki, Ahmed, and two others.

Under the amended charge, the defendants face allegations of conspiring to belong to a gang of thieves and belonging to such a gang. Two additional counts involve concealing and disposing of a vehicle used for an illegal purpose. The prosecution has submitted a motion seeking the court's consideration of the amended charges, accompanied by a six-paragraph affidavit. This development marks another turn in the prolonged legal battle surrounding the deadly Offa robbery.

The 2018 Offa bank robbery resulted in multiple deaths, including police officers and civilians, and drew nationwide attention. Saraki and Ahmed were linked to the case by the Kwara State Government, which initiated legal proceedings against them and two others. Both former governors have consistently contested the allegations through their legal representatives. The case has faced several legal obstacles since its commencement at the Kwara State High Court in April 2026.

The trial court has been occupied with preliminary applications and disagreements over procedure. On November 5, 2026, Justice Osuolale Ajayi reserved his ruling on whether the trial could proceed with the arraignment of the defendants despite a pending application for a stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal. The issue arose from an application connected to the ongoing legal challenge by the defendants.

A member of the legal team representing Saraki and Ahmed criticised the prosecution's decision, questioning the basis for the new charges. The lawyer described the prosecution's efforts as "a mockery of the judicial process and an exercise in futility". The legal representative expressed surprise that the government replaced armed robbery-related allegations with charges of membership of a gang of thieves.

The lawyer representing Saraki and Ahmed maintained that the amended charge sheet would not succeed, insisting that the defence was prepared to challenge the allegations before the court. The legal representative added that the new charges would not turn out better than the previous ones, which were abandoned. The lawyer urged the Attorney General to stop chasing shadows and advised against pursuing the case further.

Sources familiar with the government's position indicated that the amendment followed legal advice from the Attorney General and members of the prosecution team. The prosecution had concluded that the earlier charge sheet, containing 20 counts, would not achieve the government's objectives in the case. The fresh charges represent a significant change in the direction of the prosecution.

Key points

• The Kwara State Government has reduced charges against Bukola Saraki and Abdulfatai Ahmed from 20 to four.
• The new charges introduce allegations of conspiracy and membership of a gang of thieves.
• The prosecution's efforts have been criticised by the defendants' legal team as a "mockery of the judicial process".