..I will reply police in 48 hours, Says Saraki
The last is yet to be heard in the ongoing tango between Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Nigerian Police Force on the allegations of his connection with robbers who attacked and robbed over six commercial banks in Offa, Kwara State on April 5 this year. The Police which had earlier invited him to report at the Guzape Police State in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has reversed itself, asking Saraki to send a written response
In a tweet on Monday, Saraki disclosed the recent development in the running scandalous story: “Following my earlier tweet, I have received the letter from the police. They are no longer asking me to appear at any station, but to respond in writing to the allegations within 48 hours — which I plan to do.”
The police which publicly disclosed they had invited Saraki over the 5 April multiple bank robberies in Offa, during which 33 persons, including nine policemen, were killed, is said to have reversed itself following the public outcry and demonstration by Off youths against the link of the Saraki with the robbery.
Explaining Police action on Sunday, the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, said
“The Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki is being invited by the Nigeria Police Force to report to the Force Intelligence Response Team office at Guzape, Abuja to answer to the allegations levelled against him from the confessions of the Five (5) Gang Leaders, namely; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibukunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran and some of the other Seventeen (17) suspects arrested for direct involvement and active participation in the Offa Bank Robbery and the gruesome killing of 33 innocent persons which include some pregnant women and nine Police personnel.”
“The Five gang leaders further confessed during investigation that they are political thugs under the name Youth Liberation Movement a.k.a “Good Boys” admitted and confessed to have been sponsored with firearms, money and operational vehicles by the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the Governor of Kwara State, Alh. Abdulfatah Ahmed.”
Police explained why the Chief of Staff and the Personal Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed were also arrested:
“A Lexus jeep GX-300 (Ash Colour) with a sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, State of Harmony” used by the gang leader (Ayoade Akinnibosun, during the bank robbery and the killing of the 33 innocent persons was taken to Government House, Ilorin on 16th May, 2018 where the sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, State of Harmony” was removed before another plate number (Reg. No. Kwara, KMA 143 RM) registered in the name of Ayoade Akinnibosun the Overall Commander of the Offa Bank Robbery was then attached to the vehicle to cover up the identity of the said vehicle.
“The exhibit vehicle was subsequently recovered from the premises of the Min. of Environmental and Forestry in Ilorin, Kwara State. While the sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, State of Harmony” removed from the vehicle was recovered from one Adeola Omiyale who drove the said Lexus Jeep to Government House, Ilorin immediately after the Bank Robbery.
“The Personal Assistant (Political) to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Alabi Olalekan, who is privy to information that the Police is looking for the Lexus Jeep as an exhibit used in the Offa Bank Robbery… directed one Adeola Omiyale to relocate the Lexus Jeep to Government House, Ilorin. The PA (Political) is currently in Police custody and has made useful statement assisting the Police in further investigation into the case.
“A revolver pistol and pump action gun were recovered by the Police Investigation Team from the Personal Assistant (Political) to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Alabi Olalekan’s Farm where he directed his brother to hide them after his arrest by the Police.
“In order to conceal evidence, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Yusuf Abdulwahab who has been arrested and taken into Police custody, arranged the removal of the sticker plate number with inscription “SARAKI” “Kwara, State of Harmony” from the exhibit vehicle.
Swiftly, Saraki, in a statement by his media adviser,Yusuph Olaniyonu, had described the allegation as baseless and another ploy by the Police to implicate him by all means. Governor Abdulfatah also washed his hands off the allegation, describing it as unfounded, senseless and libelous
“Let it be known that there is no way I could have been associated with armed robbery against my people,” Saraki said.
“This plot is concocted to embarrass me and, in the mind of the IGP, it is his own response after his refusal to honour the invitation by the National Assembly, headed me, for him to come and offer explanations on the rampant killings and violence across the country.
“Like the earlier one, this frame-up will also fail as I hereby state categorically that I have no link with any band of criminals.
“As a person who has utmost respect for the rule of law and all constitutional institutions, when the invitation from the Police is formally extended to me, I will be ready to honour it without any delay.
“It is however sad that this abuse of the criminal investigation process aimed at intimidating and over-overawing the legislature, thereby obstructing it from doing its work, is a big threat to our democracy “, the Senate President stated.
As it stands now, there is no knowing what page would be turned in the ongoing story which many Nigerians, for now, see as part of the high stakes politics unfolding ahead of the 2019 general elections, personalised to an extent by the row over the reluctance of the Inspector General of Police to honour his invitation to appear before the Senate.
