A high-profile legal battle unfolds in Ogun State as the Federal Government brings charges against Oladipupo Adebutu, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The government accuses him and nine others, associated with the PDP, of engaging in vote-buying during the elections held on March 18.
The charges were filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice before an Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta. Additionally, two individuals are being charged for allegedly aiding Adebutu in committing the offense. The suits were officially presented on June 2, with the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, M. B. Abubakar, Aderonke Imana, an assistant Chief State Counsel, and Sani Bagudu, a Senior Counsel at the Department of Public Prosecution of the Federation, acting on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants charged alongside Oladipupo Adebutu before the Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta are Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, Egunsola Owolabi, and Sanni Adejoke. Dare Ogunleye, Dare Adeoye, Dayo Fashina, Wasiu Enilolobo, and Malik Akawo are among the other defendants listed in the charges.
As per the prosecution’s notice, Oladipupo Adebutu and four other defendants are currently at large. The suit filed before the Ogun State High Court alleges three counts against Adebutu and the fifth defendant, Adejoke Sanni, including criminal conspiracy, bribery, and undue influence. The remaining eight defendants are charged with the first two counts only.
The charge sheet numbered AB/10c/2023 states that on March 18, 2023, in Ibara, Ogun State, the defendants conspired to corruptly give gifts in the form of Verve prepaid cards, bearing the inscription ‘Dame Caroline Oladuni Adebutu Memorial Endorsement Scheme for less privileged.’ The intention behind these gifts was allegedly to induce voters to support PDP candidates during the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in Ogun State.
The prosecution further asserts that Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu, who is currently at large, provided 200,000 prepaid Verve cards, loaded with ₦10,000 each, for the purpose of corruptly influencing votes in favor of PDP candidates, including himself. Sanni Adejoke, another defendant, is accused of being in possession of 131 prepaid Verve cards inscribed with the same endorsement scheme for less privileged, with the alleged intention of influencing voters during the elections.
To substantiate its case, the prosecution has identified eight witnesses, including a police officer, three officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and two point-of-sale (POS) operators.
The legal proceedings are expected to draw significant attention as the defendants face the charges of vote buying, which is considered a serious offense undermining the integrity of the electoral process. The court will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the case, which could have far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Ogun State.
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