FG accuses Ogun PDP governorship candidate, Adebutu, of vote-buying, bribery, others

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has been charged with alleged vote-buying, conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering.

The Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation also charged Zenith Bank Plc and its Managing Director, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu to court alongside Adebutu.

In March, the Ogun State chairperson of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Sanusi, petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, accusing Adebutu of distributing ATM cards preloaded with N10,000 to buy votes at the polling booth on election day.

Adebutu eventually lost the election to Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC.

However, he has filed a petition before the election petition tribunal to challenge Mr Abiodun’s victory.

The charge sheet of the case at the High Court of Ogun State, Abeokuta Division,  accused Adebutu and Messers Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adegoke, Hon Dare Lukman Ogunleye, Dayo Fasina, Wasiu Enilolobo, and Malik Badmus, 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,