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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State, Mr Ladi Adebutu, has visited the police headquarters in the state over the vote-buying allegations levelled against him.
Adebutu, who returned to the country at the weekend after being away for about eight months in the United Kingdom, visited the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.
Recall thay the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi, had petitioned the police, accusing Adebutu and other PDP members of vote-buying using preloaded ATM cards.
On Wednesday, Adebutu was led into the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), after meeting the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, alongside his legal team and other loyalists.
Speaking with newsmen shortly before leaving the command, Adebutu said: “I have come and I’m happy that this institution has done well. They have listened, they have taken records and I’m sure that this is the way to a better Nigeria.
“The frivolous allegations that Ladi Adebutu has been laundering his money. I don’t know how you can launder your personal wealth. That is the allegation against me by the APC; that I have laundered my money, that I have used my money to create empowerment for people, that I feel compassionate about Nigerians that are in need, that I have helped but they should note, I will continue to help.
“It was a dictate of my late mother to be of help to women and children. We have done empowerment programmes and we will continue to do them.”
Reacting to Adebutu’s visit to the police headquarters, Ogun APC commended him, but asked the PDP governorship candidate to take a step further by accepting court summons, which it said bailiffs had been unable to serve him since April 2023.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, Ogun APC said: “While it is commendable that Mr. Adebutu has finally honoured the police invitation, after eight months, to ward off any unpleasant consequences that his non-attendance would have caused him, we wish to urge the police authorities to use this case to serve as a deterrent to desperate politicians and prove to all that no one is above the law and that truly the law is no respecter of persons.
“Adebutu should take a step further to accept the court papers containing charges against him so that he can enjoy his fundamental right to a fair hearing.
“The police must investigate the allegations to the fullest as even PDP had publicly acknowledged in a press statement dated 9th December, 2023 that Mr. Adebutu has been linked with the alleged offences of money laundering and vote-buying.”
During Adebutu’s long stay outside the country, Ogun APC had alleged that the PDP candidate was running away from the law, and challenged him to return home to face the allegations against him.