Tribunal to rule on Adebutu, Abiodun vote-buying allegations

The� Ogun state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on Tuesday, fixed June 19 for its ruling on the allegation of vote-buying� and other corrupt practices brought before it by both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, against each other.

Lawyers representing the� petitioners, Dapo Abiodun of the APC� and respondents, Ladi Adebutu and the PDP, on Tuesday, disagreed over vote-buying allegations.

The tribunal, sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state, said it would rule on whether it will or not entertain� the allegations of vote-buying filed by the parties.

Adebutu, who is the PDP� governorship candidate in the March 18 governorship election, is challenging the� victory of Abiodun.

Counsel for both parties� clashed on Tuesday at the tribunal over allegation and counter-allegations of vote-buying during the election when the three-man panel led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza resumed pre-hearing sitting.

Lead counsel for the respondents, Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), raised the� issue of vote-buying against Adebutu and the PDP in one the party�s replies to the petition.

But the Petitioner�s counsel, Goddy Uche (SAN), disagreed, and instead ,� accused� the APC and Abiodun of vote-buying during the election.

The Tribunal, however, adjourned till June 19 to rule on the matter.

Both the APC and the PDP had been trading words� in the� allegation and counter-allegation of vote-buying during the last election.

A police report had earlier indicted Adebutu of alleged vote-buying with the sum of N2bn naira through an ATM card preloaded with N10,000 each.

Adebutu has, in turn, filed a petition against Abiodun alleging vote-buying.