The Nigerian government has filed a lawsuit against Oladipupo Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, for alleged vote-buying and money laundering. The lawsuit, brought before a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, accuses Adebutu of engaging in vote-buying during the state’s governorship election held on March 18.
According to SaharaReporters, in addition to Adebutu, the government has charged Zenith Bank, its Managing Director, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, and Celestina Appeal, the head of card services at the bank, for their alleged involvement in aiding Adebutu in committing the money laundering offense.
The charge sheet, with reference AB/10c/2023, also lists nine other PDP members, including Ogunbona Hammed, Tiamiyu Waliu, Egunsola Owolabi, Sanni Adejoke, Dare Ogunleye, Dare Adeoye, Dayo Fashina, Wasiu Enololobo, and Malik Akawo, as co-defendants alongside Adebutu.
However, the Nigerian government stated in the charge sheet that Adebutu is currently at large. Adebutu reportedly left the country shortly after the election, citing threats to his life.
Adebutu and Adegoke are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, bribery, and undue influence, while the other eight individuals are charged with vote-buying and conspiracy.
The prosecution has listed eight witnesses, including a police officer, three officials from the NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency), and two Points of Sale operators, to testify against Adebutu and the co-defendants.
One of the charges stated, “That you Oladipupo Adebuti (now at large), adult male of Kessington House, Iperu, Ogun State, between February and March 2023, at Ogun State within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did provide 200,000 prepaid verve cards loaded with N10,000, which had inscribed on them ‘Dame Caroline Oladuni Adebutu Memorial Endorsement Scheme for less privileged’ for the purpose of corruptly influencing votes to vote for PDP candidates (including yourself) during the governorship and state Assembly elections in Ogun State, and you thereby committed an offense.”
According to PUNCH, another lawsuit filed before the court accuses Zenith Bank, its Managing Director, Onyeagwu, and Celestina Appeal, the head of card services at the bank, of assisting Adebutu in committing the alleged crime.
The charge states, “That you (Mr Onyeagwu and Ms Appeal), between February 2023 and March 2023 in Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did fail to report suspicious transactions which appeared to have no economic justification or lawful objective, in the account of Oladipupo Adebutu held at Zenith Bank Plc. You thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 7 (10) of the same Act.”
