Offa Robbery: Stakeholders Warn Against Politicisation

A civic advocacy group has cautioned against attempts to draw political conclusions from the ongoing legal processes surrounding the 2018 Offa bank robbery case. It urged all parties to allow the courts to handle the matter without external influence. The group said the case, which remains one of the most violent incidents in Kwara State’s […]

A civic advocacy group has cautioned against attempts to draw political conclusions from the ongoing legal processes surrounding the 2018 Offa bank robbery case.

It urged all parties to allow the courts to handle the matter without external influence.

The group said the case, which remains one of the most violent incidents in Kwara State’s recent history, “must not be subjected to narratives capable of undermining judicial proceedings or public confidence in the justice system”.

Speaking at a press briefing in Ilorin, the organisation warned that “renewed public commentary around the matter should not be interpreted through political lenses”.

It stressed that “only competent courts are empowered to determine culpability”.

It argued that attempts to frame developments in the case as political persecution were “misleading” and noted that the matter has continued through various levels of the judiciary, including rulings at the High Court and Court of Appeal.

The group maintained that the reopening of attention on aspects of the case followed formal petitions from stakeholders.

It insisted that “due process remains the only lawful pathway for resolving contested allegations”.

According to the group, individuals mentioned in ongoing discussions should focus on legal defence rather than public confrontation, adding that shifting the narrative into political space risks weakening justice delivery.

State officials, it noted, should not be drawn into personal attacks over the matter.

“Investigative and judicial responsibilities rest strictly with law enforcement agencies and the courts.

“We therefore urged restraint across political and public circles. The memory of the victims demands a process guided strictly by law, not sentiment or political alignment”, it said.

It argued that maintaining the independence of the judicial process remains critical, especially in a case that continues to carry significant emotional and security weight within the state.