The high court in Ogun state has dismissed the application seeking to stop the trial of Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun in the 2023 elections, over alleged vote-buying.
T.A Okunsokan, the presiding judge, on Wednesday, directed
the prosecution to proceed to trial after dismissing the application.
THE CASE
Adebutu is facing trial alongside five others over a
four-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, bribery, and two counts of
undue influence which violates sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Yemi Sanusi, chairperson of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in Ogun, had petitioned the inspector-general, raising vote-buying
allegations against Adebutu.
Adebutu was accused of involvement in massive vote-buying
during the 2023 governorship election in Ogun.
The state criminal investigations department (SCID) of the
police in Abeokuta, was said to have probed the matter.
Thereafter, the office of public prosecutions at the federal
ministry of justice, filed criminal charges against Adebutu and his
co-defendants at the high court.
THE APPLICATION
Muyiwa Obanesa, in an application filed on behalf of Ladi
Adebutu and five others, asked the court to strike out the criminal charges
levelled against the defendants.
Obanesa had argued that the attorney-general of the
federation (AGF) lacked the powers to prosecute the case.
Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecutor, who appeared alongside S.A
Obafemi, opposed the application.
The judge ruled that the AGF has the powers to prosecute and
file the criminal charges against the defendants.
The case was adjourned to January 29 to 30, 2026.
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