By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Judgment in the six-year old trial of the six suspects in the bloody Offa bank robbery case has been reserved for August 2, 2024.

The Presiding Judge in the April 5, 2018 bank robbery case, Justice Haleema Salman of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, on Monday adopted final written addresses which contained arguments of the two lead counsel in the matter, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) for the State and Mathias Emeribe, the defence counsel.

In Court on Monday, the prosecution and defence teams adopted their addresses one after the other on point of law.

However, the Presiding Judge said that the August 2, 2024 date for judgement is tentative.

It would be recalled that six suspects: a policeman, Michael Adikwu (deceased), Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were arrested in connection with the bloody armed robbery incident.

Ayoade Akinnibosun and four others are currently standing trial in the case which began on November 11, 2018.

It would also be recalled that on April 5, 2018, some suspected armed robbers attacked five commercial banks in the ancient Offa town, killing over 30 persons in the process, including nine policemen.

The five suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham and two others were charged to court by the Police for criminal conspiracy to rob the banks, murder of nine policemen and other citizens, and illegal possession of firearms.

Michael Adikwu died in police custody while the remaining five pleaded not guilty.