Offa robbery: Court reserves judgement for August 2

A Kwara State High Court has reserved judgement for August 2, 2024, the six-year trial of six suspects in the April 5, 2018, Offa robbery case, in which over 30 people were killed in the community.

Counsels, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) for the state and Mathew Emeribe, for the defence, on Monday, before the presiding judge, Justice Haleema Salman, adopted their final written addresses.

The prosecution and defence teams adopted their addresses one after the other on points of law.

 

However, Justice Haleema said the August 2, 2024 date for judgement is tentative.

This online medium recalls that six suspects, a policeman, Michael Adikwu (deceased), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were arrested in connection with the bloody armed robbery incident.

Ayoade Akinnibosun and four others are currently standing trial in the case which began on November 11, 2018.

On April 5, 2018, some suspected armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in the ancient Offa town in the Offa local government area of Kwara State, killing over 30 persons in the process, including nine policemen.

The five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others were charged to court by the police for criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.

Michael Adikwu died in police custody, while the remaining five pleaded not guilty.