A witness, Shamsudeen Bada, has told the Kwara State High Court that he and others were tortured by men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) led by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari to implicate former Senate President Bukola Saraki in the April 5, 2018 Offa robbery incident.
The former vice chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State stated this on Thursday during the resumed trial of suspects arrested in connection with the robbery at the court sitting in Ilorin.
Qed.ng recalls that 33 persons, including policemen, were killed when armed robbers invaded some commercial banks in Offa.
Five suspects – Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Azeez Salawu and Niyi Ogundiran – were arrested and charged to court by the police for robbery, murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Mr. Bada was also arrested in connection with the robbery but released after almost 40 days in detention.
Speaking during cross-examination at the resumed trial of the robbery suspects on Thursday, Bada said while in detention, the IRT operatives promised them they would be freed if they name Saraki as their sponsor.
He added that Akinnibosun was shot in the leg when he declined to indict the former Senate president.
“After he was shot, I became very nervous, depressed and my health started deteriorating. DCP Abba Kyari brought some nurses to treat me. Before I was eventually released, the police officers gave me conditions before I was released that I must not grant any press interview, I must not go to court and I should quit politics,” Bada said.
According to the witness, their arrest was politically motivated to deal with the Saraki camp.
The prosecuting counsel could, however, not conclude his cross-examination and sought an adjournment to obtain some necessary documents.
The case was subsequently adjourned to January 16, 17 and 18 for continuation of cross-examination by the prosecution.
