The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that Michael Adikwu, who was among those arrested for their alleged roles in the April 5 bank robbery in Offa, Kwara state, “was not murdered, but slumped and died”.
The Kwara State Justice Commissioner, Kamal Ajibade, announced Adikwu’s death during the trial of five suspects on prosecution for the fatal robbery.
Ajibade told the judge that he was informed by the police of his death, but was not told how the suspect died.
Many Nigerians, including Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have since criticised the police demanding to know how the suspect died.
Saraki, who had been allegedly named by some of the suspects as their sponsor, demanded a probe of the death.
In a statement by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, the police said the suspect’s death does not absolve Saraki of any wrongdoing.
“Michael Adikwu ‘M’ 30Yrs was not murdered but slumped and died in detention while investigation into the Offa Bank Robbery was ongoing. It is also important for the public to know that the deceased Michael Adikwu ‘M’ 30Yrs was not among the Five (5) gang leaders that indicted and implicated the senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, therefore, his death cannot in anyway vindicate Senator Bukola Saraki. There is a post-mortem examination result in respect of the death of Michael Adikwu ‘M’ 30Yrs,” the police spokesperson said.