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The Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation has charged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, with alleged vote-buying, conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering.
Also charged to court alongside Adebutu are Zenith Bank Plc and its Managing Director, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu.
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 after polling 262, 383 votes to return second behind Governor Dapo Abiodun of the APC, who polled 276, 298 votes. He has however filed a petition before the election petition tribunal to challenge Mr Abiodun’s return
In the charge sheet of the case at the High Court of Ogun State, Abeokuta Division, Adebutu, along with Messers Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adegoke, Hon Dare Lukman Ogunleye, Dayo Fasina, Wasiu Enilolobo, and Malik Badmus, is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a four-count, 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
