Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Ogun in the 2023 elections, has been arraigned in a High Court on charges related to money laundering.
The case, registered as AB/10c/2023 (FRN Vs Adebutu &Ors) saw Adebutu facing legal action alongside six others in Abeukuta, the state capital. Last year, the PDP Chieftain was arraigned at the state High Court alongside nine others, over alleged vote buying.
Yemi Sanusi, chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun, had petitioned the inspector-general, raising the allegations against Adebutu. The State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) of the police in Abeokuta, investigated 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 court. During Tuesday’s court session, all the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the seven-count charges preferred against them.
Gordy Uche, lead counsel to the defendants, pleaded with the court to allow the 2nd,5th, and 10th defendants to continue to enjoy bail on earlier terms. Uche then prayed the court to grant Adebutu, the first defendant, bail on self-recognisance, saying he came to the court of his own volition.
Despite the opposition to the bail request by Rotimi Jacobs who is the prosecuting counsel, the presiding Judge Abiodun Akinyemi granted Adebutu bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in like sum who may be a family member or bondsman. The case was adjourned to February 7 for a hearing.
In a letter dated January 22, Kensington Adebutu, Ladi’s father who is popularly known as Baba Ijebu, wrote Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, congratulating him for his victory at the supreme court.
Calling for “an end to litigation and unhealthy rivalry” in the state, Adebutu said he had advised his son to put aside political opposition and join hands in moving the state forward.
