Residents protest delayed suspects’ trial 4 years after Offa robbery

Mosunmola Ayobami, Kwara

Some residents of Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday stormed Government House, Ilorin to protest the seeming delay in the trial of suspects in the April 5, 2018 armed robbery incident in the ancient city.

It would be recalled that 33 persons, including policemen were killed by daredevil armed robbers who invaded some commercial banks in Offa four years ago.

The suspected armed robbers also reportedly carted away about N10 million during the attack.
The aggrieved protesters, who were at the Government House to urge Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to expedite action on the trial of the suspects with a view to serve the victims and their relations with justice, carried placards with various inscriptions.

Some of the messages on the placards include: “Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, don’t fold your hands, expedite action on the trial of Offa robbery suspects”, “We need justice on Offa robbery incident”, “The blood of Offa 33 victims is crying”, among others.

Addressing the protesters on behalf of Governor Abdulrazaq, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Salman Jawondo (SAN), said that the case was still pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Jawondo, who identified with the pains of the Offa people and especially relations of the victims, said that no stone would be left unturned until justice is served on the matter.

All the five suspects in the robbery incident, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Azeez Salawu and Niyi Ogundiran are standing trial before Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin.