Foremost Kwara politicians and statesmen have asked former Senate President Bukola Saraki to prepare his defense against the charges slammed against him over his link to the Offa armed robbery incident.
In a statement, the statesmen under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress ( APC) Continuity Mandate Group in Kwara State urged Saraki to go to court to clear his name instead of resorting to media propaganda to defend himself over the charges.
The statement was jointly signed by former chairman of Ilorin East local government area, Alh Usman Bibire Ajape, former minister of Sports, Hon. Issa Bio Ibrahim, and Engr Jimoh Alao.
They advised Saraki to prepare himself for the court proceedings to clear his name instead of dissipating energy on unnecessary media campaign.
They noted that there is merit in the charges filed against Saraki, noting that the onus to clear Saraki rests squarely on the court and not the media.
The APC Continuity Mandate Group hailed the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for mustering the courage to file the charges against Saraki and former Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed, among others..
“This courageous step of Governor AbdulRazaq will ensure justice for the families of the victims of the bloody Offa bank robbery and serve as deterrent to political office holders who think they are above the law when in power,” the statement said.
“This group of eminent politicians and community leaders want to say unequivocally that Governor AbdulRazaq has taken the right step in pressing charges against Dr Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on the 2018 Offa bank robbery.
“While we noticed the sentiment being expressed by some people on the timing of filing the charges against Saraki, we want to submit that justice should always take its course at anytime to ensure decorum and public safety.
“As we said earlier, court remains the only place where a suspect can prove his innocence, and therefore, we want to encourage Dr Saraki to face his trial and defend himself on the allegations levelled against him in court rather than resorting to media propaganda.”
Similarly, the Elders Caucus of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Kwara Central cautioned Saraki against politicising a case pending before a competent court of jurisdiction.
The group issued the warning in a statement signed by its public relations officer, Sulaiman Sheu AbdulSalam( Cement) .
The Caucus urged Saraki to go to the court and clear his name instead of resorting to media campaign.
It added that no matter the level of media propaganda, court remains the only place that could adjudge Saraki guilty or otherwise.
The Caucus praised the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his interest in defending the interest of the commonman, which neccesitated the filing of the charges against Saraki and former Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed.
It noted that the governor’s decision will ensure justice for the families of the victims of the bloody Offa bank robbery and serve as deterrent to political office holders who think they are above the law when in power.
While dismissing the sentiment being expressed by some people on the timing of filing the charges against Saraki, the Caucus said people should allow justice to take its cause at anytime to ensure decorum and public safety.
” The court remains the only place where a suspect can prove his innocence, and therefore advise Dr Saraki to face his trial and defend himself on the allegations levelled against him in court rather than resorting to media propaganda,” it said.
