Court Slams Door On Move To Stop Ladi Adebutu’s Vote-Buying Trial

The Ogun State High Court has dismissed an application seeking to halt the trial of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 elections, Ladi Adebutu, who is facing charges of alleged vote-buying.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice T. A. Okunsokan ordered the prosecution to proceed with the case, declaring that the defence application lacked merit.

Adebutu and five others are standing trial on a four-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, bribery, and two counts of undue influence—offences said to contravene Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The case originated from a petition filed by Yemi Sanusi, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, who accused Adebutu of coordinating widespread vote-buying during the 2023 governorship election.

Following an investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Abeokuta, the Office of Public Prosecutions under the Federal Ministry of Justice filed formal charges against Adebutu and his co-defendants.

Counsel to the defendants, Muyiwa Obanesa, had urged the court to strike out the case, arguing that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) lacked the jurisdiction to prosecute offences arising from a state election, insisting the charges were incompetent.

However, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs, accompanied by S. A. Obafemi, opposed the application, maintaining that the AGF has constitutional authority to prosecute any criminal offence, including those related to elections.

In his ruling, Justice Okunsokan affirmed that the AGF’s powers extend to all criminal matters across the federation and declared the application unsubstantiated. He consequently ordered the continuation of the trial.

The case has been adjourned to January 29 and 30, 2026, for commencement of the hearing.

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