Offa Banks Robbery: Where are Kayode Opadokun, Popoola, 12 other principal suspects?

*Police sources allege death in custody

*PPRO ignores phone calls, SMS

By Kayode Adeoti

Six months after their arrest in connection with the April 5 Offa banks robbery incident, the whereabouts of Kayode Opadokun, the son of the chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ayo Opadokun, Adewale Popoola and 12 other prime suspects remain unknown to the public.

Since news of the arrests of the suspects broke out, only five suspects have been paraded by the police and arraigned in connection with the bloodletting incident.

The five principal suspects currently facing trial over the incident are; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez and Niyi Ogundiran.

A highly placed police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity with this medium last night, alleged that  Opadokun and 13 other key suspects may have suffered similar fate as principal suspect and armourer, Michael Adikwu.

Aside Opadokun and Popoola, the 12 other prime suspects yet to be paraded are; Moses Gowon, Ikechukwu Ebuka Nnaji, Kabiru Alabi, Omotose Kassim, Kabiri Alaroye, aka ‘Kh’, Kazeem Abdulrasheed, Azeez Abdulmalik, Adetoyese Muftau, Alexander Rueben, Aminu Ibrahim, Richard Buba Terry and Peter Jasper Kuufa.

Recall that the police had in June denied the widespread reports of the death of Adikwu. When question on the whereabouts of the principal suspect came up in the media, the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood said he was being held in a public facility in the South West.

“Michael Adikwu is in police custody. You know he is the one that led the killing of 22 people. The firearms that were carted away, he is helping the police to recover them. There is a state in the South West where they kept him. I can’t mention the state. It is in one of the South West states,” Moshood was quoted to have said in June.

However, after consistent denial, the Police last Monday confirmed that the dismissed police corporal died in custody during a telephone chat with the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Kwara State, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade. The commissioner however told journalists in court last Wednesday that the police did not give further details on Adikwu’s death.

According to the source, the suspects may have died in police custody in the course of investigation like Adikwu.

He added that it may take the police some months to come out with a statement on the 14 suspects like it was the case with the dismissed police officer.

It was however not ascertained whether the police had concluded investigations before the unfortunate incident.

In the same vein, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who does not wish to be named said there should be no hindrance to the arraignment of the 14 prime suspects alongside the five others standing trial in Ilorin especially as they were said to have committed the same office.

He added that the police can arraign the 14 prime suspects alongside Akinnibosun and four others currently standing trial at the Ilorin High Court while investigation into the matter continues.

According to him, the only reason the suspects may not have been paraded or arraigned is probably if they had died in custody like Adikwu.

Recall that the legal advice of the Kwara State Director of the Public Prosecution, Barr AbdulMumuni Adebimpe Jimoh stressed that case diary revealed that suspects mentioned by the principal suspect have all been arrested except one Friday who is still at large.

The legal advice further queried why none of the 14 suspects were made available for prosecution.

It added that Adikwu planned and consummated the robbery attack with five other suspects who are currently facing prosecution.

Part of the advice read thus; “…Adikwu mentioned one Sgt. John, serving police officer at Oke Oyi Police Station, Kwara State as the supplier of six AK 47 rifles used for the operation.

“In the course of the investigation, Adikwu mentioned the vehicles they used as Audi Saloon which belongs to him, Mercedes-Benz which belongs to Akinnibosun and Nissan Primera belonging to Opadokun.”

The DPP in his advice further established that the five suspects who have been arraigned have prima facei case of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and armed robbery contrary to sections 97 and 221 of the penal code and sections 6 (b) (a) of the robbery and firearms against them.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood proved abortive as calls put through his mobile phone were not picked while response to the text message sent to him was still being awaited last night.

The text message sent to the Force PRO 2:08 pm yesterday read thus; “Good afternoon sir, I am Ahmed from National Pilot. Please sir, I just want to ask about the remaining Offa Bank Robbery suspects; Kabir Afolabi, Omoseni Kasim, Kayode Opadokun, Kareem Abdulrasheed, Azeez Abdullahi, Adewale Popoola, Adetoyese Muftau, Alexander Reuben, Richard Buba Terry, Peter Jasper, Ikechukwu Ebuka, Moses Godwin. When are they going to be paraded and be taken to court sir?

…trial of Akinnibosun, 4 others continue, tomorrow

Ayoade Akinnibosun and four other suspects who were earlier arraigned will continue their trial before Justice Haleeman Salman of the state High Court, tomorrow (Friday).

The case was stalled last week to allow the prosecutor and Attorney General of the State, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN amend the charges preferred against the accused following the news of the passing of the first accused and principal suspect, Michael Adikwu.

Ajibade, who is also the Commissioner for Justice in the state informed the court last week, that he received a call from the police that the principal suspect, Adikwu had died in custody.

Giving the reasons the trial would not continue, Ajibade said; “There are two complaints; one, the suspects do not have legal representation; two, we were informed by the police headquarters that the first accused, Michael Adiwku is dead.”

He also informed the court that the reason behind such amendment was that Adikwu, had earlier made statement with the police before his death.

Ajibade therefore urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable his office effect necessary amendment to the charges.

In her short ruling, Justice Salman, agreed with the Attorney General that there was need to effect some changes preferred against the accused in view of the reported death of the principal suspect and lack of legal representation for the accused persons. She therefore adjourned the case till November, 30, 2018.