By Ranti Thomas
The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, alongside five others on Tuesday appeared before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi of the state High Court, Kobape Road, Abeokuta over seven-count charge bordering on vote buying and other offences in a case number AB/10c/2023 (FRN Vs Adebutu &Ors)
Adebutu, during the governorship election held on March 18, 2023, was accused of inducement during the poll by security agents alongside other members of his party.
The PDP candidate was also alleged to have ordered through his bank the issuance of 200,000 preloaded ATM verve cards with N10,000 and distributed the same on the day of the election across the state with the alleged intention of inducing voters.
Adebutu and six other people were later charged to court by the police, but he was said to have travelled out of the country for medical treatment and returned in December 2023.
Adebutu, while appearing physically for the first time before the court, however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs SAN, earlier in his submission orally withdrew the prior information supplied, and substituted the same with amended information, without any objection from the lead counsel for the defendants, Gordy Uche SAN.
Uche pleaded with the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy bail on earlier terms.
He then prayed the court to grant the first defendant, Adebutu, bail on self-recognition, saying he came to the court of his volition.
However, his prayer that Adebutu should be granted bail on self-recognition was opposed by the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs SAN, explaining that while he has no objection to the prayer for bail, he disagreed with the self-recognition clause.
The presiding judge, Justice Akinyemi, therefore, granted the first defendant, Adebutu bail in the sum of N1m with a surety in like sum who may be a family member or bondsman.
The case has been adjourned till Wednesday, February 7, 2024, for hearing.
Source: Punch online