In a dramatic turn of events, Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2023 elections in Ogun State, has been arraigned by the federal government on charges of alleged vote buying.
This development has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the state and garnered significant attention nationwide. The arraignment took place on Monday at the Ogun State High Court, where Adebutu and nine other individuals stood trial.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairperson in Ogun State, Yemi Sanusi, had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that Adebutu engaged in vote buying during the elections.
Following the petition, the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) in Abeokuta launched a thorough investigation into the matter. Subsequently, the Office of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice filed criminal charges against Adebutu and his co-defendants at the High Court.
The suit, marked AB/10C/2003, lists four charges against Adebutu and the other defendants, including criminal conspiracy, bribery, and two counts of undue influence, which contravene sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the charges, the defendants allegedly conspired to corruptly distribute Verve prepaid cards, each loaded with N10,000, to voters in an attempt to influence their support for PDP candidates during the gubernatorial and state assembly elections in Ogun State.
The prepaid cards were inscribed with the label “Dame Caroline Oladuni Adebutu Memorial Endowment Scheme for Less Privileged.”
However, during the hearing on Monday, Adebutu was conspicuously absent from the courtroom. Despite his absence, Judge Abiodun Akinyemi proceeded with the proceedings.
On the other hand, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 10th defendants, namely Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyi Waleed, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adejoke, and Malik, were present and pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
Muyiwa Obanewa, the defense counsel representing the defendants, subsequently requested bail for his clients. Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecuting counsel, confirmed Adebutu’s absence but did not oppose the bail application.
Judge Akinyemi granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N100,000 each, with one surety required for each defendant. The surety must be either a bondsman or a relative who can provide evidence of tax payment.
The judge adjourned the case until September 26 for further hearing. The nation now eagerly awaits the continuation of this high-profile trial, which has the potential to shape the political landscape of Ogun State and impact the broader democratic process in Nigeria.
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