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The Police have explained the circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Adikwu, the principal suspect in the April 5, banks robbery in Offa, Kwara State, in which over 20 people, including police officers, were killed.
This comes after Senate President Bukola Saraki called for an inquiry into Adikwu’s death in custody.
Responding to Saraki’s allegation that Adikwu was murdered, Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, on Thursday said that Michael Adikwu was not murdered but slumped and died in detention while an investigation into the robbery was ongoing. He said there is a post-mortem examination result in respect of the death of the suspect.
Moshood had earlier stated that “the Nigeria Police Force is conversant and mindful of contempt of Court in commenting on cases already before the Court of competent jurisdiction,” but said it was constrained and compelled to respond to the allegations by the Senate President, through his media aide, Yusuf Olaniyonu, and set the record straight.
READ: Saraki seeks inquiry into how leader of Offa banks robbery died in police custody
Police described Adikwu as a sectional gang leader, dismissed policeman and ex- convict. On April 5, 2018, he led a gang of robbers who raided five banks in Offa, killing 22 people and nine police officers. The robbers, according to police, also carted away 22 AK 47 Rifles at the Offa Police Divisional Headquarters.
Speaking further, the police image maker said “it is also important for the public to know that the deceased Michael Adikwu ‘M’ 30Yrs was not among the Five (5) gang leaders that indicted and implicated the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, therefore, his death cannot in anyway vindicate Senator Bukola Saraki.”
Recall that Adikwu was not not paraded along with the five suspects now standing trial. Police explained that he was paraded with them because he was taken out to arrest other members of the gang and recover the stolen rifles.
Stressing that “the law must take its course, Moshood added that “All Five (5) suspects that indicted and implicated Senator Bukola Saraki, Senate President Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Offa Bank Robbery are alive and now in Court. “Evidence from the Five (5) suspects now in Court are enough to prosecute the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.”
“The indictment of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki from the confessions of the Five (5) gang leaders namely; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibukunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salawudeen Azeez, Niyi Ogundiran arrested for direct involvement and active participation in the Offa Bank Robbery was not politically motivated as alleged by Mr. Yusuf Olaniyonu, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki to the media, but purely criminal case,” the statement read in part.