Adebutu Detained and Freed on Bail, After Honoring Police Invitation on Vote Buying Charge

Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 Governorship Candidate, Honorable Ladi Adebutu, has been arrested and detained, over his alleged buying of votes during the march 18, 2023 governorship poll.

He was detained on Wednesday, after reporting at the state police headquarters in Abeokuta to honor invitation issued to him before travelling out of the country nine months ago.

The PDP candidate was however, released on an administrative bail, hours after reporting at the police headquarters.

Adebutu was directed after his release, to appear before a Federal High Court, Abeokuta, where he was being tried in absentia for allegedly buying votes during the poll, at the next adjourned date.

The trial is scheduled to resume in February 2024.

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The state APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, had petitioned the police, accusing Adebutu and other PDP leaders, of buying votes with pre-loaded Automated Tellers Machine (ATM) cards, during the poll.

Adebutu had arrived at the police headquarters, Eleweran, on Wednesday morning, accompanied by his legal team and supporters.

He was received by the State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alamutu, who led him to the state investigations and intelligence department, for investigations into the allegation.

Adebutu had travelled out of the country, shortly after the allegation was made after the poll, without honoring the police invitation to clear himself over the allegation.

He returned to the country last week, promising to respond to police invitation.

The state APC had accused the PDP candidate of travelling abroad, after the poll to escape arrests and prosecution over the alleged vote buying, a claim he had refuted and now in court.