The Federal Government has arraigned in absentia, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Hon Ladi Adebutu before a State High Court sitting in Abeokuta.
Adebutu and nine others were arraigned for vote buying, on Monday.
Adebutu had few months ago left the country, alleging threat to his life, but the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state alleged that he fled the country to avoid appearing in court in respect of the vote buying and money laundering allegations brought against him by the Federal Government.
The APC through its state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, had earlier written a petition to the Inspector General of Police over the vote buying allegation, which was investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta and upon conclusion of the investigations, the Federal Government through the Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice filed criminal charges against Adebutu and his co-defendants at the State High Court.
When the case came up before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi of the State High Court, it was adjourned to July 10, 2023 because the court process could not be served on Adebutu and his co-defendants.
However, when the matter was called on Monday, Adebutu remained at large while Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waleed, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adejoke and Malik Badmus, who are the the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 10th defendants respectively were present.
They pleaded not guilty to all the four counts and their counsel, Muyiwa Obanewa, subsequently prayed the court to grant them bail.
The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs while noting that Adebutu is still at large, said he was not opposed to bail application for the defendants.
Justice Akinyemi subsequently admitted the suspects to bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety each, who shall be either bondsmen or relatives of the defendants with evidence of payment of tax.
He adjourned the case till September 26, 2023 for hearing.
Adebutu, along with Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adegoke, Hon. Dare Lukman Ogunleye, Dayo Fasina, Wasiu Enilolobo and Malik Badmus, were being prosecuted on a four-count charge 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
“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,” the charge sheet read in part.
Adebutu was further accused of providing 200,000 prepaid verve cards loaded with N10,000 each and inscribed with the same name “for the purpose of corruptly influencing voters to vote for PDP candidates” during the elections.
