… Buhari warns Idris on shoddy investigation, undermining NASS integrity
By Mumini AbdulKareem
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has finally replied the police letter demanding him to respond in writing to his alleged link with the arrested suspects of the Offa banks robbery incident, in Kwara State.
The details of Saraki’s reply which was reportedly sent to the police last week has been shrouded in secrecy with the police maintaining sealed lips about the content.
This development is coming just as President Muhammadu Buhari has strongly warned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to be mindful of shoddy investigation that undermine the integrity of the National Assembly.
Buhari’s directive is seen as a tacit response by the President following the alarm raised by Saraki over the incident when the suspects were first ordered to be transferred to Abuja from Kwara State.
Although the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, confirmed the Senate President’s response to the allegation against him, had been received by investigators, he however refused to give further details.
Moshood on Sunday had told a national daily that he was informed by investigators that Saraki has made a written response to the allegations by the suspects but insisted “he could not say more in order not to jeopardise ongoing investigation into the case.
But multiples sources last night said the Senate President in his reply sent on Thursday firmly denied any link with the suspects, contending that the entire saga was contrived as a ploy by the police leadership to embarrass him.
According to the sources privy to the investigation, Saraki stated that he knew nothing about the whole drama and insisted that from his reading of the whole saga, it was all concocted to embarrass him as well as reduce the institution of the Senate.
“Saraki reminded the IG that he was the first to visit the community to commiserate with both the people and the police, and even spoke with Idris right from the palace of the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi where they both agreed on the need to improve the security of the state.
“He said he never had any form of contact with the suspects, aside the name-dropping that had been trending.
“He also reminded the police IG in his response that when he spoke to him on the robbery, he even went ahead to list some of the demands of the people in the area on how to improve their security…, in addition to donating N10million as the first response to whatever they needed at the time.
“Saraki in his response also considered as unfair, any attempt to link him with the criminals, because there could not have been any meeting point between him and them”, the sources revealed.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has cautioned the IG to handle the investigation with utmost care so as not to undermine the integrity of the legislature.
The President according to sources noted that although, he would not interfere with job of the police boss regarding the investigation, he would not tolerate shoddy investigation.
“Buhari told the Inspector General of Police that while he (Buhari) would not interfere with his job, he would, however, not tolerate any shoddy investigation that could undermine the integrity of the institution of the National Assembly.
“It was with the assurance of the presidential directive for careful and fair investigation that gave Saraki the confidence to make a written response to the police on Thursday”, the source added.
…Police release Shamsudeen Bada, 3 other suspects
By Mumini AbdulKareem
After spending weeks in the custody of the Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (FSARS), Abuja, some suspects arrested over the April 5, 2018 deadly robbery attack which claimed no fewer than 33 lives were yesterday, released by the police.
The release, it was gathered, was precipitated on failure of the police investigators to find anything concrete linking them to the crime since there arrest.
Those that have so far gained freedom, National Pilot exclusively gathered last night, included the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth leader in Irepodun, Hon Shamsudeen Bada who was said to have been released penultimate Tuesday.
Others are the duo of Moroof Owolabi and Samson Eweje who were released around 4pm yesterday, in Abuja. Moroof is the grandson of the owner of the defunct Union Steel, Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Also said to have gained his freedom last night is one Kayode Ogunlowo.
According to a source who spoke in confidence on the issue because he is not officially authorised to talk to the press, the release of other suspects is still ongoing.
“The Police have released some of those arrested in Kwara over the incidence after weeks of investigation.
“Shamsudeen Bada had since been released last week and the duo of Moroof Owolabi and Samson Eweje were set free by the police today (Wednesday) together with one Kayode Ogunlowo
“After, weeks of questioning, nothing was found against them to warrant their arrest in the first place and so they were subsequently freed”.
However the latest release of the suspect is expected to further provoke debate on the missing leaders of the bank robbery suspects.
Ayoade Akinnibosun (AY), one of the suspects earlier paraded by the police had told journalists that Michael Adikwu, a former officer was their leader who used his police connection to secure the arms and ammunition they used in the robbery operation.
Adikwu’s absence during the parade by the police had raised concerns about his whereabouts and safely although the police had denied rumours that he had been killed claiming he is presently kept in a facility in one of the Southwest states.
Apart from Adikwu, the son of the former NADECO chief, Kayode Opadokun has also not been paraded by the police and the duo’s statements have not been made public like that of other suspects.
Meanwhile, it was observed most of the suspects paraded on camera spotted bandages on their feet reportedly from the heavy tortures they have been subjected to.
