THE governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party – PDP, in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has appeared before an Ogun State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, over an allegation of vote buying during the March 18 governorship exercise.
Adebutu, alongside six others face a seven-count charge bordering on vote buying and other offences before the Presiding Judge, Justice Abiodun Akinremi.
The PDP Governorship however, pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
Adebutu was also accused of criminal inducement during the poll by security agents alongside other members of his party.
He was alleged to have ordered through his bank the issuance of 200,000 preloaded ATM verve cards with N10,000 and distributed the same on election day across the state with the criminal intention of inducing voters in the State.
He alongside the other six suspects was later charged to court by the police.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, earlier in his submission orally withdrew the prior information supplied, and substituted the same with amended information, without any objection from the lead counsel to the defendants, Chief Gordy Uche.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge preferred against them.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Abiodun Akinyemi, granted the 1st defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in the like sum who may be a family member or bondsman.
The case has, however, been adjourned till 7th February 2024 for a hearing.
self-recognizance, saying he came to the court on his own volition.