Offa Robbery: Abba Kyari-led IRT tortured us to implicate Saraki — Witness

A witness, Shamsudeen Bada has told a Kwara State High Court how men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General Police led by the embattled DCP Abba Kyari tortured him to implicate former Senate President, Bukola Saraki on April 5, 2018, Offa robbery incident.

Bada who is a former Vice Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State recounted his experience on Thursday during the resumed trial of the suspects in the robbery case in Ilorin

Five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others were charged to court by the police for criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.

During cross-examination at the resumed trial, Bada said while in detention, ‘the Abba Kyari-led IRT operatives promised them they would be freed if they named Saraki as their sponsor.’

He said, “Ayo Akinrinbosun was shot in the leg when he declined to indict Saraki.

“After he was shot, my health started deteriorating. DCP Abba Kyari brought some nurses to treat me. Before I was eventually released, the police officers gave me conditions that I must not grant any press interview, I must not go to court and that I should quit politics”.

According to Bada, Officer Adele directly told him, “You these Kwara boys, we will show you shege. I was hanged and I told them I can’t lie even if I would die.

“They also said we were the boys Saraki used to hijack the APC congress then in Kwara adding that ‘We will take Kwara from your leader.[

Justice Haleemah Salman, however, adjourned the case to the 16th,17th and 18th of January, 2023 for the continuation of cross-examination by the prosecution and trial.

(Daily Trust)