The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has been dragged to court for alleged vote-buying, News About Nigeria reports.
Adebutu, alongside five others, was brought before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi of the State High Court, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, over a seven-count charge bordering on vote-buying and other offences.
This was contained in case number AB/10c/2023 (FRN Vs Adebutu &Ors).
The governorship candidate, who appeared before the court physically for the first time, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Recall that Adebutu had been accused of inducement during the governorship election that was held on March 18, 2023, in the state.
He was accused by security agents, along with other members of his party, of trying to buy the votes of the residents.
According to them, Adebutu had ordered through his bank the issuance of 200,000 preloaded ATM verve cards with N10,000 and had distributed the same on the day of the election across the state with the alleged intention of inducing voters and tilting the votes in his favour.
He, along with six others, had been arraigned by operatives of the Ogun State Police Command and charged to court but did not appear in court as he was said to have travelled out of the country for medical treatment and returned in December 2023.
His counsel, Gordy Uche SAN, prayed to the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy bail on earlier terms and requested that the court grant Adebutu bail on self-recognition, saying he came to the court of his volition.
The presiding judge, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, granted the first defendant, Adebutu, bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in like sum who may be a family member or bondsman.
The case has been adjourned until Wednesday, February 7, 2024, for a hearing.
