Offa Robbery Suspects Arraigned As Counsel Announces Withdrawal

Five persons suspected to be involved in the April 15th, 2018
bank ‎robbery and killings in Offa, Offa local government area of
Kwara state were Wednesday arraigned before an Ilorin Magistrate
Court.

Also,counsel to the accused,Abdulrasheed Lawal in the court
announced his withdrawal from further representing them .
Recall that during the robbery,thirty one persons including a
pregnant women and two police officers were killed while several
millions of naira were carted away by the robbery gang.

Before yesterday arraignment of the robbery suspects,Governor
Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Senate president,Dr Bukola Saraki were
reportedly indicted by the statements of suspects, a development
the duo vehemently denied.

During the sitting, the court said that the Offa robbery
suspects have
case to answer.

Earlier, the Kwara state police command OC Legal Kunle Iwalaiye
said the case was for mention and consideration of the Kwara state
Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s letter.

Mr. Iwalaiye added that suspects had cases to answer in the
DPP’s Advice AUST/LED14/V140/1457/738 and dated 11th of November,
2018.

OC legal, who was represented by Prosecutor ASP Abdulkadir said
that “in this circumstance the accused persons have cases to
answer. We are asking for another date for further mention in which
they must have been properly arraigned before a court.”

He said that the DPP also directed the police to carry out more
investigation with a view to arresting more of the suspects that
are on the run.

Counsel to the accused Abulrasheed Lawal however announced his
withdrawal from the case based on legal misconception.

According to him, “On our part we have a letter before the court
dated 21st of October, 2018. The letter is as a result of a
misconception of the legal representation of all the accused
persons by Abdulwahab Bamidele
.
“The letter is seeking the leave of the court to withdraw the
appearance of Abdulwahab Bamidele (Esq) as counsel representing all
the accused in this case. And also my humble self holding the brief
of Abdulwahab bamidele from the record of the court.

“The same letter has been copied to OC legal, Kwara state police
Command and Abdulwahab Bamidele. In the circumstance we want the
court to discountenance with the names of both Bamidele and Lawal
from appearing for all the accused persons in this case.”

In his short ruling, Magistrate Bio Salihu granted the prayers
of the accused persons counsel and ordered the discountenance of
their appearance in the case.

He equally directed the police to take necessary action for the
proper arraignment of the accused persons in court.

Magistrate Saliu subsequently adjourned the case to December 6th
for mention.