The Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta on Thursday commenced hearing of proceedings by the Federal Government against Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the March 18, 2023 governorship and House of Assembly elections, Ladi Adebutu, on charges of money laundering and vote buying.
The case is before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi
Five suspects were in court when the case was called, while Adebutu and four other accused persons were said to be at large.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Goddy Uche, announced appearance for Adebutu, who claimed to have been on “medical vacation” since April 2023, while Chief Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, appeared for the prosecution.
Fifty-two ATM debit cards bearing the inscription ‘Dame Caroline Adebutu Foundation’ were presented and accepted as exhibits along with a PDP polling agent tag and a motorcycle that four of the suspects were riding on the day of their arrest.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, presented two witnesses for cross-examination, including a POS operator, who claimed he earned a commission on the N10,000 transactions on the debit cards.
Hearing in the case continues tomorrow as agreed to by both parties.
