Offa Bank Robbery : Suspects Enter Not Guilty Plea

The five suspects involved in the Offa bank robbery incident in Kwara state which over thirty persons were killed have pleaded not guilty when arraigned in court on Friday.

The suspects appeared before the Ilorin High Court presided by Justice Halima Salman to answer to the alleged offense committed on April 5, 2018.

The suspects that include Salahu Azeez, Ademola Abraham, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Ayoade Akinibosun, were charged with five counts of conspiracy, robbery, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.

They were initially arraigned before the court on November 21, but their pleas could not be taken as the prosecutor and the state commissioner for justice  Kamaldeen Ajibade informed the court of the death of the principal suspect Michael Adikwu whom the police notified him a day earlier of his death in their custody.

He then sought for a short adjournment.

During sitting on Friday, they pleaded not guilty to five counts of conspiracy, robbery, illegal possession of two AK- 47 firearms and culpable homicide.

Counsel to the suspects Barr. Mathias Abaribe requested for a week to enable him to meet with his clients and prepare for their defence as he was just briefed on the issue.

But the prosecutor and the state Attorney General Kamaldeen Ajibade raised objections to the request.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Halima Salman subsequently adjourned the matter to January 7, 2019, for the commencement of definite trial.