Court Fixes Aug 2 For Ruling In Offa Bank Robbery Case

The trial judge in the April 5, 2018 bloody bank robbery in Offa, Kwara State, Justice Haleema Salman, has reserved judgement in the six-year trial of six suspects in the incident for August 2, 2024.

The presiding judge on Monday adopted final written addresses which contained arguments of the two lead counsels in the matter, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) for the state, and Mathew Emeribe, the defence counsel.

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

However, the presiding judge said that the August 2, 2024 date for judgement is tentative.

LEADERSHIP recalls that six suspects including 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.

LEADERSHIP recalls that on April 5, 2018, some suspected armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in the Offa town, 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 however died in police custody while the remaining five pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.