The Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade on Wednesday told an Ilorin High Court that the principal suspect in the deadly Offa bank robbery, Michael Adikwu had died in police custody.
Ajibade disclosed this to Justice Halimat Salman of the High Court when five suspects arrested in connection with the April 5, 2018 Offa bank robbery were arraigned before the court.
According to the Attorney General, the news of the death of the suspect was conveyed to him by the Force Headquarters of the Nigeria Police, adding that there would be an amendment to the charges preferred against the other accused.
He said the amendment was necessary in view of the information about Adikwu’s death as well as the non-representation of the other accused persons by a lawyer.
He informed the court that the reason behind such amendment was that the principal suspect had made the statement with the police before his reported death, urging the court to grant an adjournment to enable his office to effect the necessary amendment.
In her ruling, Justice Salman concurred with the state Attorney General over the need to effect some changes in the charges preferred against the accused in view of the reported death of the principal suspect and lack of legal representation for the accused persons.
The suspects that were brought to court were Ayoade Akinibosun, Ademola Abraham, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Niyi Ogundiran and Salahu Azeez.
Justice Salman however did not take their pleas because of the new development. She therefore adjourned the case till November 30.
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