Court rejects Ladi Adebutu’s request to stop ‘vote-buying’ trial

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.