The Federal Government on Monday arraigned in absentia Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party‘s candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Ogun State, for suspected vote-buying.
Adebutu was arraigned along with five other people in front of an Ogun State High Court in Abeokuta.
According to reports, the All Progressives Congress, through its Ogun State Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, petitioned the Inspector General of Police about the claim. The State Criminal Investigations Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, is said to have investigated the accusation.
Adebutu, along with Messers Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adegoke, Hon. Dare Lukman Ogunleye, Dayo Fasina, Wasiu Enilolobo, and Malik Badmus, were being arraigned on a four count charge, namely one count of criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, bribery contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and two counts of undue influence contrary to Section 127 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
According to the details of the crime, Adebutu and the co-accused “on or about 18th of March at Ibara, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to corruptly give gifts in form of verve prepaid cards which had inscribed on them ‘Dame Caroline Oladuni Adebutu Memorial Endorsement Scheme for Less Privileged’ in order to induce voters to endeavour the return of PDP candidates during the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections in Ogun State.”
Adebutu was also charged with distributing 200,000 prepaid verve cards, each filled with N10,000 and inscribed with the same name, “for the purpose of corruptly influencing voters to vote for PDP candidates” during the elections.
Adebutu was not present at the hearing on Monday, but five defendants were: Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyi Waleed, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adejoke, and Malik.
They all pleaded not guilty to all four counts, and their counsel, Muyiwa Obanewa, then asked the court to release the prisoners on bail.
After that, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each who must be either bondsmen or relatives of the defendants with proof of tax payment.
The case has been adjourned till the 26th of September 2023 for a definite hearing.
