The traditional ruler of Offa comunity, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, Ajagungbade I, has reacted to reports by the Nigeria Police Force linking the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to armed robbery suspects in the Offa Bank robbery incident.
Force Spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood had over the weekend disclosed that some of the suspects arrested in connection with the Offa Bank robbery incident, had allegedly indicted Saraki and the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Against this backdrop, the Police had summoned the Senate President for questioning.
Reacting to the development, the Monarch in a statement signed by the Principal Private Secretary to HRM, Olofa of Offa, Tajudeen Oloyede, Ph.D, called for equity and justice in the investigation of Offa Bank robbery, but was quick to caution the police and others involved in the matter that Offa will not be part of any attempt to ridicule, embarrass, denigrate and disgrace the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
The Statement read in part, ”As far as we are concerned, Dr. Bukola Saraki has taken Offa as his second home and have been supportive of all our activities and development projects in the town. The Senate President, always heeded to our call anytime we approach him on any issue concerning the progress and security of our ancient town. The Offa people are well bred citizen of Nigeria and we are appreciative of people who have extended hands of fellowship to us. Dr. Saraki is one such person and thus we hold him in high esteem.
The monarch added that Saraki was the first top public official to pay a visit to the town after the robbery. He also maintained that the community will not be a party to attempt to ridicule, embarrass, denigrate and disgrace Saraki.
”When the Offa robbery incident happened, the Senate President was the first top public official to pay a visit to our town and right there in the Palace in the glare of the High Chiefs and other well-meaning personalities, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki put a call to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, requesting him to make necessary security arrangement which our people has long been yearning for. The Senate President also donated substantial money to help some of our people who were in distress as a result of the robbery incident and he also made substantial contribution towards the building of a new police station.
”We wish to state that the Senate President is a former Governor of Kwara State and by the grace of God the number three citizen of this country, we will therefore not be a party to attempt to ridicule, embarrass, denigrate and disgrace him. We know his antecedent, family and political beliefs.
They also called on the Police force to avoid sensationalism in the handling of the investigation into the Offa robbery incident and the media to refrain from becoming instrument that can be used to tarnish the image of prominent Nigerians.
”We therefore call on the police to be alive to their responsibility and avoid unnecessary sensationalism in the handling of the investigation into the Offa robbery incident. We will appreciate that this case is thoroughly investigated devoid of media trial and unnecessary and undue publicity. Our interest remain in the law taking its course against those who unleashed mayhem and violence against our people in order to prevent recurrence of such crime in our society.
”Offa people will also advise the media both social and traditional mass media to be cautious and refrain from becoming instrument that can be used to tarnish the image of prominent Nigerians most especially the one targeted at the office and person of the Senate President. We call on the media to also do a proper logical evaluation of any information passed on to them before going public with it.”
