Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court, who presided over the April 5, 2018 bank heist in the ancient town of Offa, Offa Local Government Area, has set August 2, 2024 as the date for the six-year trial of six suspects in the deadly bank robbery.
The presiding judge approved final written addresses on Monday, which included arguments from the two senior counsels in the case, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) for the state and Mathew Emeribe for the defence.
On Monday, the prosecution and defence teams took turns delivering their legal arguments in court.
However, the sitting judge stated that the August 2, 2024 date for judgement is provisional.
In connection with the brutal armed robbery, six individuals were arrested: a police officer, Michael Adikwu (died), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham.
Ayoade Akinnibosun and four others are now on trial for the case, which began on November 11, 2018.
It should be noted that on April 5, 2018, several suspected armed robbers stormed five commercial banks in the old Offa town in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, murdering over 30 people, including nine police officers.
The five accused, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, and two others, were charged with criminal conspiracy to loot banks, murder of nine police officers and people, and illegal possession of firearms.
Michael Adikwu died in police custody, while the remaining five pled not guilty.