Justice Haleemah Salman of the Kwara State High Court stated that the offences are punishable by death.

The incident, which occurred at five banks in Offa Local Government Area in 2018, left no fewer than 32 people dead, including nine police officers, two of whom were women.

The convicted individuals include Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham.

The sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the trial commenced.

Presiding over the case, Justice Haleemah Salman handed down the death sentence to the five suspects after a six-year trial that drew widespread attention.

The convicts faced a five-count charge, including conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and armed robbery.

Delivering her judgment, which spanned over four hours, Justice Salman found the accused guilty of robbing and killing innocent citizens.

She sentenced them to death by hanging for their roles in the heinous crime.

Additionally, the court imposed a three-year prison sentence on the convicts for illegal possession of firearms, in line with Nigeria’s penal code.

In her ruling, Justice Salman remarked, “The convicts acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray.”

The lead prosecution counsel, Barrister Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed satisfaction with the verdict, commending the judge for her thoroughness despite the numerous distractions that prolonged the trial.

On the other hand, defence counsel Barrister Abdullah Jimba, who represented Mr. Mathias Emeribe, acknowledged that the judgment was expected.

He noted that his principal was already compiling the necessary documents for an appeal.

A video of the incident seen by SaharaReporters captured the moment some of the shop owners were mourning as they watched their property destroyed by the fire.

“This fire is too much. This is not caused by electricity. Maybe some people were cooking and the fire started from there because this fire is much,” one of the traders said in the video.

A source from the town on Tuesday morning said the fire was eventually quenched by personnel of the Federal Fire Service and Kwara State Fire Service.

The source added that no fewer than five shops were affected by the inferno.

“The authorities are still assessing the situation, but personally, I know at least five shops were affected. The worth of goods and property destroyed can’t be said now until the assessment ends. There are also several claims as to the cause of the fire until we wait for the fire service to release their statement on it,” the source said.

Meanwhile, barely eight months ago, there was a report about a midnight fire that razed a residential building in the town and destroyed property worth N6.5m.

The incident that occurred at about 1:05am at Kowope compound, Olorunkuse area, Offa, affected a two- bedroom flat and four shops.

In December, no fewer than 14 shops were reportedly razed by fire in two incidents that occurred in the Tanke area of Ilorin in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

At least, seven shops at Zion Overcomer, Opposite Duro Suleiman house, University Road, Tanke, were reportedly burnt while the second incident also occurred at Tanke Oke-Odo area on University Road at about 1.30 a.m.where another seven shops were destroyed by fire.

The convicts,  Asmau Wuraola, Owoduni Abdullahi Isa, and  Shuaibu Rukayat, were jailed by Justice Evelyn Anyadike.

They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC alleged that the convicts on February 17  “did trade in naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

The prosecution said the defendants were liable to punishment under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.

The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.

While reviewing the facts of the case, the EFCC prosecutor, Innocent Mbachie, said naira notes were recovered from the convicts.

Delivering judgment, Justice Anyadike pronounced the defendants guilty and sentenced them to various jail terms.

The judge sentenced Wuraola to two months imprisonment with an option of fine of  N50,000 while she ordered that the sum of N1,020,000  recovered from the her be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Furthermore, the judge ordered the EFCC to destroy the POS machine recovered from her.

Isa, on the other hand, was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an  option of fine of  N50,000 while the sum of N150,000  recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge also sentenced Rukayat to six months imprisonment with an  option of  a fine of N50,000 while the sum of N200,000 recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Federal Government has in recent times begun a clampdown on illegal currency dealers in a bid to arrest the free fall of the naira.

Last week, a Kano court jailed two illegal Bureau de Change operators while 16 others were remanded in prison in Port Harcourt.

On Monday, the police in Lagos took 19 BDC operators before the Federal High Court in Lagos for arraignment. The charges were, however, withdrawn by the police at the last minute.

The accident involved a truck carrying soybean which was heading to Lagos from the North, a petrol tanker, and another truck conveying soft drinks.

The Kwara State Fire Service said that the vehicles burst into flames after a head-on collision that occurred as a result of a wrong overtaking by the truck conveying soybean.

Kwara Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corp, Stephen Dawulung,  confirmed the incident, on Monday.

He said, “Preliminary investigations revealed that a truck conveying feeds en route Lagos, while attempting to overtake another vehicle, collided with an oncoming trailer conveying brewery products while a tanker carrying petroleum products which was closely following the truck also crashed into the pre-existing vehicles leading to a multiple crash which ignited the fire that escalated due to the presence of petroleum products.

“The inferno burnt the three vehicles and a motorcycle which got caught up in the crash.

“There were a total of five people involved in the crash. Two of them who were passengers on the motorcycle sustained injuries and were taken to the General Hospital, Ilorin but the remaining three involved in the crash sadly lost their lives as they got burnt in the inferno.”

This, he said, would be achieved through the new intervention programme, the Immunization Plus and Malaria Process by Accelerating and Transparency.

IMPACT is funded by the World Bank after the state paid $100,000 in counterpart funds. Each benefiting PHC is getting N4.6m to upgrade primary healthcare infrastructure.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the program in Ilorin, the governor said the programme would help to deepen access to primary healthcare services.

He said that his administration’s commitment to the program underscores its focus to ensure universal health coverage for an average Kwara resident.

“I welcome you all to this important occasion which signals another milestone in the life of our administration. One of the cardinal goals of our administration is to ensure universal health coverage for all Kwarans, irrespective of their location. This has guided all the strategic interventions we have made in the health sector, “he said.

In a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said, “One of the early commitments our administration made is the Expression of Interest in the IMPACT Project by meeting all the necessary requirements, including the payment of $100,000 counterpart fund.

The idea is to enable our Primary Health Care Centres to have some level of financial autonomy and the capacity to optimally deliver basic health care services to the people.

“This (programme) is a continuation of the legacies of our administration. We have consistently been investing in the health sector, including the primary healthcare system through the renovation or construction of health facilities in several locations in the state, and the recruitment of all cadres of health workers. We have equipped many of our health facilities with equipment this state never had before. We will not relent, especially now that the results have been quite impressive,” he said.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Nusirat Elelu, said the administration had repositioned the health sector through prompt payments of counterpart funds.

Others, she said, are adequate investments in basic infrastructure, prompt payment of salaries of health workers, and their promotion, among other incentives that enable the state to stand shoulder-high on health issues in the comity of states.

She said the agency would do everything within its power to ensure that the resources entrusted into its care are utilized for the common man and in line with the necessary guidelines.

Meanwhile, development partners also commended the governor’s strides in the health sector, saying they point to his firm commitment to public good.

Representative of the World Health Organization, Dr Walter Mulombo, commended the administration for its strategic partnerships and investment in primary healthcare programmes to deliver quality healthcare services to the citizens.

Mulombo, who spoke through the North Central Coordinator for WHO, Dr. Asma’l Kabir, said Kwara was able to have the programme in place because of the governor’s foresight and commitment.

“I want to, on behalf of the representative of WHO, commend and congratulate the Kwara State Government for establishing the IMPACT project to improve access to universal health coverage,” she said.

She lauded AbdulRazaq for providing the enabling grounds for the WHO to deliver on its 2023 goals, which she said, were meant to cover at least 3 billion people worldwide.

“WHO’s 2023 goal is a global goal that has the 3 billion live goals. The first is that WHO intends to reach 1 billion people to have access to universal health coverage. Of course, this is part of the way for which the WHO appreciated Kwara State,” she said.

“Another 1 billion people are going to become healthier. And 1 billion more people will get protected from health emergencies. This is in direct alignment with what the Kwara State Government has been doing.”

Speaking at the 57th Annual National Conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union held at the Emir of Ilorin forecourt, Abdulrazaq urged community associations to embark on projects that will make the government achieve the set goals.

The governor while commending this year’s focus of IEDPU for embarking on the ICT centre, urged the people to support the union to ensure that the ICT project is completed on time.

He said, “Let us commend the Chief of Staff to President Prof Ibrahim Gambari. He hardly has time to come to Ilorin but he has been doing a yeoman’s job in Abuja. One of the projects, which has not been announced properly, is the protocol we signed which work will begin soon. It is a brand new diagnostic center worth $7million which will be located in Ilorin here. You have seen that during Maimartaba’s reign God is doing Ilorin favours. All Ilorin indigenes are progressing dutifully and rightfully.”

Abdulrazaq while commending the Emir for having a successful reign said, “The capital city Ilorin is wearing new looks following the government’s delivery of new roads and execution of many giant projects that the public could easily relate with Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.

The governor commended the traditional ruler and the IEDPU for keeping the flag flying and said a lot needs to be done to make the capital city the number one positive reference point in Nigeria.

“I especially commend the Emir and the leadership of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union for keeping the flag flying every year. We thank you for keeping the legacy of Sheikh Alimi evergreen. Distinguished elders, brothers and sisters, our administration remains committed to inclusive growth. Our goal is to make Ilorin one of the most celebrated capital cities in Nigeria and beyond. This is what informs the focus of our projects,” he said.

“I was in Kwara South yesterday to launch a hospital project by Offa Metropolitan Club. Let’s also make Ilorin greater; we should take the lead. By this time next year, IEDPU should be launching another project. It is a challenge for all of us. We are all members of the IEDPU and we should support them to achieve the set goals.

“In terms of infrastructure, we are renovating different parts of the state stadium; and we are building a new Squash Court. The Ilorin International Conference Centre will be the best of its kind in northern Nigeria outside Abuja. In terms of industrialisation and employment, we have just awarded a contract for an industrial pack in Eiyenkorin. There will be another pack in Malete. And you know, the state is building its own Innovation Hub, which will run along with IEDPU’s Innovation Hub in order to empower our youths to achieve greater heights.

On his part, the Emir appealed to the descendants of the Emirate to remain peaceful and united, and be committed to the course of growth and progress of the Emirate.

He congratulated the leadership of IEDPU and the entire people of the Emirate for devoting their time and resources to the overall development of the city.

The monarch hailed AbdulRazaq for taking a lead in the projects that continue to change the face of the ancient city.

His driver was also said to have been kidnapped alongside the couple who were traveling on the new Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway in Oyo State.

The bishop and his wife were said to be traveling to Kwara State when their car developed a fault at a lonely section of the road at around 8:30pm on Sunday.

Before long, the gun-wielding hoodlums reportedly swooped on them and dragged them into the forest.

Sources said their abductors have demanded a ransom of N50 million to free their captives.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the abduction in a statement on Monday morning and said the command had swung into action to free the captives and arrest the criminals.

The statement read, “On Sunday 12/06/2022 at about 2100HRS, One Rev. Adekunle Adeluwa reported to the Command through an incidented report at Atiba Divisional Police Headquarters, Oyo town that at about 2030hours , One Bishop Rt. Rev Aderogba of Jebba Diocese, Kwara State in the company of his wife and driver were abducted.

“Preliminary investigations reveals that the victim’s vehicle developed what seemed a mechanical fault while traveling from Yewa, Ogun State to Jebba, Kwara State enroute an isolated area along New Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations of the Command is in Charge of the rescue operation that has commenced since 2100HRS of Sunday 12/06/2022.

“All the tactical teams of the Command Anti-Kidnapping squad, Ambush Squad, Puff Adder, Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, and Conventional Police personnel along with local hunters and vigilantes are all involved in the rescue operations.

“Meanwhile discreet investigation led by the State Criminal Investigation Department is simultaneously being vigorously embarked upon to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt.

“While enjoining members of the public to report any suspicion to the nearest Police Division or formation, credible and timely information, the general public are assured of their safety as the go about their lawful activities.”

His emergence came after he won the primary election conducted by the party for its governorship aspirants in the state where he polled 518 from the total votes of 574 in the election.

He defeated Honourable Aliyu Ahman-Pategi, a three-term member of the House of Representatives who polled 31 votes, and Professor GanaYisa, an ex-envoy of Nigeria to Japan and former Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly who scored 14 votes in the election.

According to the election results announced by a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State, Hon Niyi Owolade, who served as chairman of the PDP electoral committee and the returning officer in the election, Abdullahi polled 518 which was the highest number of votes in the election.

Owolade said 574 of the total number of 591 delegates were accredited while 11 votes were voided.

The PDP had zoned the governorship ticket to the North Senatorial district of the state from where all the contestants hail.

Abdullahi who lost the governorship ticket of the APC to Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in 2019 had just left the party about six weeks ago to pick a form for contest in the governorship primaries of the PDP for the next year’s election.

He had before this time alongside some other aspirants sought the governorship ticket of the APC in 2003 which he and the others lost to Bukola Saraki.

The politician was the Kwara North Senatorial candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria in 2011 when the incumbent minister of state for transport, Senator Gbemisola Saraki was the party’s governorship candidate.

The election which was conducted at the Arca Santa Arena along Ilorin/Ajasa-Ipo road in Ilorin went without rancour as delegates conducted themselves peacefully and orderly.

Abdullahi, in his acceptance speech, thanked his co-contestants for accepting the outcome of the election and called for the cooperation of all members of the party in the election proper coming up next year.

He said Kwara State under the present administration of the APC had derailed from the track of progress and development and urged the electorate to vote for all the PDP candidates in the 2023 general election to put the state back on the track.

She was said to have been shot dead on Saturday during an exchange of gunfire between the bandits and a combined team of soldiers and hunters.

The woman, who is the APC women leader in Koro ward of the Ekiti Local Government Area, was one of the eight people kidnapped on Wednesday evening between Araromi Opin and Obbo-Ile in the LG.

The politicians were returning home when the gunmen suspected to be bandits waylaid them on the way after the swearing-in of the state executive of the party.

Police Public Relations Officer in Kwara State, Ajayi Okasanmi, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

But the Chairman of APC in the state, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, said two of the three victims were rescued alive.

‘Two of our party women leaders in Eruku ward and Obbo-Ile ward were rescued alive, but unfortunately, we lost one of them. The woman leader of the Koro ward was killed by the bandits.The two women were rescued by the security men comprised of soldiers, hunters and vigilante men without paying a kobo as ransom.The late women leader of Koro ward has been buried today (Sunday) in Koro and we are just returning from the burial,” Fagbemi said.

Yakubu in a statement on Thursday denounced a statement being peddled around by a group that has been endorsed for the Kwara governorship election in 2023 having come from Kwara North Senatorial zone of the state.

Recall that a political pressure group; Kwara North Stakeholders Consultative Forum (KNSCF) has led agitation that the governorship slot be zone to Kwara North in 2023.

The Speaker in a statement signed by Abdulkadir Yusuf, Chief Press Secretary to Speaker said that Yakubu had no ambition to contest the governorship of the state in 2023.

According to the statement, the Speaker is presently supporting the second-term ambition of governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as he is trying to promote synergy between the Executive and the Legislature.

Yusuf said, “Our attention has been drawn to a cooked-up story by a faceless group or individual on an alleged endorsement of the 2023 Kwara North Governorship bid by the Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly.To start with, the last time the Speaker Engr. Danladi-Salihu visited Baruten was in the first week of December during the annual Gani festival and subsequent receipt of scores of the members of the opposition into the fold of the ruling party, the APC. Therefore, Speaker Danladi did not hold any meeting with anyone in Baruten or elsewhere on the 2023 Kwara North Agenda, we challenge the purveyor of the fake news to prove this wrong. The position of the Rt. Hon. Speaker concerning the agitation of the 2023 Kwara North Agenda is clear and simple, so any attempt to drag his name into it unnecessarily to heat the polity or create artificial tension in the political space should be outrightly disregarded.For a very long time, Rt. Hon. Engr. Danladi-Salihu has elected to throw his weight behind the second term ambition of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as his constitutional right, more importantly, as the Governor is performing wonderfully well to the admiration of all – unprecedented developments and achievements of the AbdulRahman led administration could be seen across the three Senatorial Districts especially the Kwara North.The synergy and friendly relationship of the Executive-Legislative under Gov AbdulRazaq and Speaker Danladi is in the interest of the public especially Kwara masses and this is producing significant improvement in the lives of the citizenry.Therefore, Engr. Danladi-Salihu is fully committed to delivering more dividends of democracy through legislation and the re-election of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for a second term in 2023.”