After Six-Year Trial, Kwara Court Fixes Date For Final Judgment On Offa Bank Robbery Suspects

A Kwara State High Court has scheduled August 2, 2024, to deliver its judgment in a case concerning the April 5, 2018, deadly bank robbery in Offa town.

This was disclosed by Justice Haleema Salman, while reserving his judgement in the six-year trial of six suspects in the incident for August 2, 2024.

It was reported that on Monday, the presiding judge adopted the final written addresses, which included arguments from the two lead counsels in the case: Rotimi Jacob (SAN) for the state and Mathew Emeribe for the defense.

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 was tentative.

The six suspects are 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.

READ: Offa Robbery: Protest Rocks Kwara Government House Over Delay Of Suspects Trial

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

Recall that on April 5, 2018, some suspected armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in 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.